Gareth Bale bags hat trick as Tottenham dismantle Sheffield 4-0

Tottenham, through Gareth Bale’s first Premier League hat trick in over eight years, dismantled a woeful Sheffield United side, providing a glimmer of hope in the search for a top four spot. 

The result was never in question, as Spurs enjoyed one of their most comfortable outings of the season.

It more resembled a training session for large periods of the match than a top flight encounter. But Spurs supporters everywhere will take it.

Bale’s finishes were both composed and emphatic, the Welshman a class above the top flight’s worst team.

Ryan Mason started with an incredibly attacking side, exactly what supporters have demanded for some time. The interim manger, who has nothing to lose in the run in, allowed his elite offensive players to do what they do best.

And that belief in his offensive assets paid impressive dividends. Had Son not leaned into an offside position, he would have bagged a brace. The South Korean added a fourth for Spurs with a superb swerving effort which bounced in off the inside of the post.

While there is just cause to be ecstatic with the overall performance, Sheffield United were astonishingly abject, conceding too much time and space for a ravenous home side.

With the impressive whitewash, Spurs climbed into fifth place, now five points adrift of Chelsea with only four to play. Tottenham are still mathematically alive in their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League, but most likely are left with too much ground to make up on the west London rivals.

However, Tottenham trail Leicester by seven points but have more chance of reining the in Foxes than their London rivals. The Foxes still have to travel to Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford while finishing the campaign with a home encounter against our beloved Spurs.

If Tottenham win three on a trot and get help from United and Chelsea, the May 23 encounter might bear more importance than we ever dreamed possible a few weeks ago.