Top 5 Gareth Bale performances

#3 Spurs vs West Ham

Spurs traveled to Upton Park in desperate need of 3 points to stay in contention for a Champions League spot. Facing tricky opposition, Tottenham knew they would have to be at their best to beat the Hammers.

13 minutes into the game, Bale skipped over the West Ham defense and found the bottom left corner from the edge of the box. Tottenham now had a crucial lead, but one that would only last 11 minutes. West Ham won a penalty and Andy Caroll netted in from the spot to give the Hammers the equalizer.

Bale and Spurs would now have to do it all over again. With only the last half hour remaining, West Ham managed to make it 2, turning the game into Spurs' biggest nightmare. Spurs would now have to score 2 goals in the last phase of the game if they wanted to play in Europe next season.

With 15 minutes to go, Spurs won a free kick. Bale crossed the ball in beautifully and Gylfi Sigurdsson managed to find the back of the net. Tottenham had equalized, but their objective was far from achieved. With only a minute left on the clock, Spurs needed a miracle. Bale found himself in space, about 35 yards from goal, and let fly an absolute stunner that found the top corner. Upton Park turned inside out with fury. Gareth Bale had done the impossible.

Scoring a brace and assisting one, The Welsh International showed the world why he was an absolute game-changer, and why he could rise to the occasion when he had to. His breathtaking, audacious strike from 35 yards out was a moment of absolute magic. It is goals like these, and performances like this that make football the beautiful game that it is.