Gareth Bale Strikes Twice, Nets Own Goal, As Tottenham End’s Liverpool’s Unbeaten Run

Brendan Rodgers was left ruing a penalty that wasn’t given as a Gareth Bale-inspired Tottenham prevailed 2-1 at White Hart Lane. Bale scored one and set up another within 16 minutes before Liverpool launched a gallant comeback. Steven Gerrard was denied a penalty and Luis Suarez had an effort cleared off the line before a Bale own-goal made it a tense final 20 minutes for the home team. Andre Villas Boas‘ side hung on, and the result leaves Liverpool 10 points away from the top four. Rodgers named an unchanged side from that which drew 0-0 at Swansea on Sunday, and the Reds were soon to find themselves behind. Bale had already tested Pepe Reina with a vicious free-kick when, in the seventh minute, the Welshman whizzed beyond Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Joe Allen before directing a perfect cross towards an unmarked Aaron Lennon at the back post. Liverpool seemed to respond well and Suarez was soon to be denied by Hugo Lloris from 18 yards. Jordan Henderson then missed an open goal ...