From the archives | Gareth Bale 'ecstatic' after win at Old Trafford, 2012
Fri 27 September 2024, 14:30|
Tottenham Hotspur
It seems like yesterday, but it will be 12 years to the day on Sunday - 29 September, 2012 - when Gareth Bale inspired our first win against United at Old Trafford in the Premier League era, and a first victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's team at the Theatre of Dreams in 23 years.
United had landed 11 Premier League titles in that time - and were on their way to as 12th, and their 20th First/Premier League title that season, 2012/13 - but we were in form, Bale was flying and the likes of Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele were showing signs of what they would do for the club in years to come.
As already stated, without a win at Old Trafford in the Premier League era, and going to December, 1989, when Gary Lineker struck in our last victory there in a First Division clash, we took the game to United and led 2-0 at half-time - Vertonghen's opener later ruled an own goal, Bale brilliantly running away from Rio Ferdinand before firing into the far corner - before United responded through Nani. Clint Dempsey soon restored our two-goal advantage, Shinji Kagawa made it 3-2 but we held on for that historic win.
United went on to win the title by 11 points and we were agonisingly fifth, one point off fourth.
Here's how Gareth responded that day at Old Trafford...
2012 | 'We're ecstatic' - Gareth
From tottenhamhotspur.com - 29.09.2012
Gareth Bale was struggling to speak due to a sore throat after Saturday's triumph at United, but he said enough to underline what it meant to win at Old Trafford.
The winger shrugged off the illness to show again what he can do in the team's magnificent 3-2 victory in the Premier League.
Having linked-up with Jan Vertonghen for the first goal, Gareth broke to devastating effect to score a superb second and put us firmly in the driving seat, 2-0 up at half-time.
United hit back after the break and reduced arrears to 3-2 after a spell of three goals in two minutes, but we then showed great defensive resistance to hold on for a landmark win.
As one of our longer-serving players, the win meant the world to Gareth - who actually made his debut for us at Old Trafford fully five years ago, back in August, 2007.
"Ever since I’ve been at the club, every time we come here we seem to either get a lead and lose it or get beaten," said the Welsh flyer.
"Over the last 20-odd years it’s been one of those things that happens in football, but now it’s finally over.
"The lads are absolutely ecstatic, delighted to get the three points and put ourselves right back in there at the top of the table."
