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Gareth Bale scores late winner for Spurs to win 3-2 at West Ham, rise to 3rd in Premier League

By: The Associated Press

Posted: 02/25/2013 4:34 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 02/25/2013 5:29 PM

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale, left, celebrates scoring his second and the winning goal with Jan Vertonghen during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur at Upton Park stadium in London, Monday, Feb. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

LONDON - Gareth Bale sent a scorching 25-meter drive into the top corner in the 90th minute Monday as Tottenham won 3-2 at West Ham to rise to third place in the Premier League.

It was the second goal of the match for Bale, who has 15 in the league and 23 overall this season, and it extended Spurs' unbeaten league run to 11 games and boosted hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

"It was a massive victory," Bale said. "We know what we are capable of. We have scored a lot of last-minute winners. We are confident that if we keep battling to the end we will score.

"I'm just enjoying my football. The most important thing is the team playing well. It is not about me, it's about the team."

Bale scored in the 13th minute at Upton Park after seizing on a loose pass and finishing adroitly from outside the box. But Andy Carroll equalized from the spot in the 25th after being fouled in the area, and Joe Cole gave West Ham the lead in the 58th with a deft control and finish beyond goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

The two West Ham players, who both started the season at Liverpool, looked to have given the hosts just their second win in seven league matches.

However, Gylfi Sigurdsson came off the bench to level in the 76th following a goal-mouth scramble, before Bale struck with time almost up to leave goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen with no chance of stopping the thunderbolt.

Spurs swapped places with Chelsea to sit five points behind Manchester City and and seven clear of fifth-place Arsenal. West Ham is 14th, six points above the relegation zone.

"He is an unbelievable, super talent," Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said. "You have seen him this season go to another level and make a difference every game. (A) tremendous talent, for sure."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was also full of praise for the Wales winger.

"We have been beaten by Gareth Bale, really," he said.

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