Brilliant Bale dreaming of Champions League

Swansea 1 Tottenham 2

The 23-year-old Welshman, whose virtuoso performance left Swansea nursing a third successive Premier League defeat, would like nothing more than to guide Andre Villas-Boas’ team into the top tier of European football

And though Arsenal and Chelsea share similar hopes and aspirations, Saturday’s first league win since March 3 has put Spurs firmly in the driving seat. Little wonder Bale spoke with the kind of confidence ordinarily reserved for minutes one to 90.

Asked if Spurs were now on target to finish in the top four, he said: “Yes, definitely that’s the most important thing. We’re still in the running for our objectives and hopefully we can fulfil them.

“It was important for us to get a win today. We had lost our last three games in all competitions so it was important to stop the rot and try and kick on.”

And kick on they did. Bale’s delivery for Jan Vertonghen’s seventh minute goal was from the top drawer. Touch, vision and execution rolled into one as the Wales midfielder picked out the Belgian defender with a pass that was Hoddle-esque.

Vertonghen returned the compliment 14 minutes later with Bale beating Swans’ keeper Michel Vorm with a stunning volley from 20 yards. It was the perfect start and though Michu reduced the arrears with a firm header from Ki’s 71st minute corner, Spurs held on for a first league win since beating Arsenal in the north London derby.

“We knew we had to get off to a good start and build the confidence,” said Bale.

“I think we showed both sides of our game; that we can attack and defend. It was a great result so hopefully we can keep this run going.”

Like so many of his previous goals, Bale’s 17th league goal of the campaign, was a genuine candidate for goal of the season. Modestly, he said: “It was a nice strike, I caught it clean. But the most important thing for us was to get the three points.”

Villas-Boas will request that his players now turn attention to the Europa League this week.

Spurs take on FC Basel on Thursday in the first leg of their quarter final tie with Villas-Boas admitting; “We dream of winning trophies so our focus on the Europa League won’t shift.

“We understand that we have to keep the team fresh but we are able to rotate because we have top quality players that allow us to do so.

“We will give it the same importance although I understand it is always the league position that determines the success of the season.”

For Swansea, who have now lost their last three games, there were one or two defining moments.

Nathan Dyer struck the bar with a header from four yards and Michu was denied by the legs of Brad Friedel three minutes after half time.

The Spaniard’s header provided some hope, but they travel to Norwich on Saturday desperate to stop the rot. Full back Ben Davies said: “We don’t want things to fade away. We have got to keep going and finish as high as we can. That’s everybody’s aim.

“There is no reason why we can’t finish eighth, but we need to put a decent run together between now and the end of the season.”