Gareth Bale turns back the years again to send Tottenham into the top four contest: John Cross

Gareth Bale in this kind of form transports you to the past.

Bale was simply unstoppable as he scored twice, dominated the game and even played a role in Harry Kane’s wonderful goal as the England captain also bagged a double.

This was Bale again near his prime. The Bale of 2013, who joined Real Madrid for a world record fee of £ 85 million and became the most successful export of British football of all time by winning the Champions League four times.

The vain signing of Tottenham president Daniel Levy is reaping big rewards as Bale’s three forwards Kane and Heung-Min Son provide enough firepower to take the Spurs into the top four.

They are back in sixth place, two points behind Chelsea in fourth and in this frame of mind it is not possible to bet against them because the trio of forwards have the potential to rival anyone in the Premier League.

Kane has now provided 13 assists this season, scored 16 Premier League goals and is arguably having the best season of his career.

Bale seems to have finally convinced José Mourinho to play him regularly, this was his third consecutive Premier League start, and he is restoring his coach’s faith after scoring six goals in as many games.

The 31-year-old Bale was everywhere this time as he darted across the field, making room for Kane and Son as he separated the Palace defense when they are normally so well trained with Roy Hodgson.

Wales superstar Bale, on loan from Madrid for a season, was electric from the start and the biggest shame is that Spurs fans aren’t in White Hart Lane to see the second coming.

At least Levy, who looks understandably smug as he approaches 20 years into his presidency this week, was sitting in an executive box and the directors made enough noise to create some much-needed atmosphere.

The first goal came after 25 minutes and it was all about the pace of work and pressure from Tottenham. Lucas Moura stole Luka Milivojevic in midfield, Kane slashed the ball and there was Bale for an easy cross.

Despite being outscored, Palace tied in the first half of injury time when Matt Doherty and Davinson Sánchez left without permission. Milivojevic found space down the left, put in a cross and Christian Benteke got up to head home with the kind of header that was his trademark a few years ago.

Palace sent Wilfried Zaha at halftime to try and change the game… but it was in Spurs’ favor. The second goal came in the 49th minute when Bale started the play, passed Sergio Reguilón and then went into the area.

Reguilon sent a cross, Kane nodded back across the goal and there was Bale heading home. It was an absolutely brilliant Bale moment, reminiscent of his best moment of the season before leaving for Madrid.

If that was Tottenham’s best team goal, then Kane scored the individual best effort three minutes later. Bale and Son were involved in the preparation, Doherty returned the ball to Kane, who swept it to the top corner from 20 yards.

Zaha hit the post but otherwise it was pretty one way traffic with Erik Lamela finding Son who threw the ball for Kane to head home. It was almost as if Son didn’t want to be left out and at least had to help.

Kane and Son have now combined for 14 goals, which is more in a single season than any other duo in Premier League history, while Tottenham have also become the second club (after Bayern Munich) in the five best leagues in Europe to reach 100 goals in all competitions. .