Since joining Tottenham and working under Jose Mourinho, Gareth Bale has played just 158 minutes but his 20 minutes as a substitute against Brighton & Hove Albion were his best yet, as his coach recognised.
The forward is yet to start for Tottenham in the Premier League this season, though he has started against both LASK and Royal Antwerp in the Europa League.
After Bale scored the winner with a header to seal three points for Tottenham against Brighton, Mourinho spoke to the press to explain how he is managing the former Southampton man.
“He doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs yet, we are using the Europa League to get him minutes and when we can in the Premier League,” Mourinho explained post-match.
“He is of course getting better and better and better, he will start again on Thursday but he will not play 90 minutes, I will use him in the right way.”
Mourinho also praised the impact of Bale as a substitute, scoring his first goal since rejoining the club on loan from Real Madrid.
“He scored the winning goal, which is a great feeling for the team, for him and for the fans, we keep fighting and we’re in a good position in the table,” the Portuguese coach added.