Tottenham Hotspur 3 Inter Milan 1: Bale inspires Spurs again

On a glory, glory night arguably not witnessed at White Hart Lane since Spurs last rubbed shoulders with the game's elite almost half a century earlier, Harry Redknapp's side were simply irresistible.

Their win was enough to take them above Inter on goal difference at the top of Group A and put them on the verge of qualifying for the knockout phase.

In what was a typically-breathless game, Tottenham were magnificent to a man, but Gareth Bale once again stole the show with another jaw-dropping performance less than a fortnight on from his stunning San Siro hat-trick.

So badly did he humiliate the so-called best right-back in the world last night that, long before the end, the home fans were singing: "Taxi for Maicon!"

There were also other world-class displays from the likes of Luka Modric, and Rafael van der Vaart, who combined to open the scoring in the 18th minute.

Bale brilliantly laid on the second for Peter Crouch to end his recent goal drought, Samuel Eto'o set up a nervy finish, but Bale was on fire and another cross saw substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko seal the points.

Afterwards, Rafael van der Vaart urged Tottenham to keep hold of star winger Bale after he turned in another outstanding display.

"He's now one of our best players, every week he's strong and everyone's scared of him," said Van der Vaart. "Tonight he's up against Maicon, one of the best defenders in the world, and he's killed him.

"To everyone, the whole club, we need to keep this guy."