Gareth Bale’s second Tottenham debut was ruined by an impressive 3-0 West Ham setback in the final eight minutes that ended 3-3 this morning.
Manuel Lanzini’s sensational long-range shot into the top corner crowned the comeback after Fabian Balbuena’s header and Davinson Sanchez’s own goal revived David Moyes’ men.
Spurs took a 3-0 lead in 18 minutes as the combination of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min Jose Mourinho’s side headed for a win that would have put them second in the Premier League.
The kick-off came within the first minute when Kane’s lush long pass behind the West Ham defense selected Son and the South Korean cut inward to curl into the far corner.
The roles were reversed for Kane’s first goal when the English captain brought out a stunning piece of skill with a nutmeg on his marker before shooting deep into the bottom corner.
Sergio Reguilon also moved from Real Madrid to Tottenham last month and his frenzied runs from the left-back are reminiscent of Bale’s early days at Spurs before the Welshman pushed the field further up.
The Spaniard prepared Kane’s second with a precise cross so the striker could drive home at the far post.
Only a nice save by Lukasz Fabianski prevented Son from also booking a double in a glowing opening quarter of Spurs.
Mourinho praised Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy as a “genius” for the deals he had done in the transfer market to give his manager a squad depth capable of competing for trophies.
This was demonstrated when Bale was then introduced as a substitute and showed no lack of confidence by scoring a free kick on his first touch, but the ball flew right into Fabianski’s grip.
Kane came just inches from sealing his hat-trick with a shot from outside the box that hit the post, but Tottenham’s defensive weaknesses resulted in a pleasant afternoon completely dissipating.
Balbuena’s header after Aaron Creswell’s free kick triggered the collapse before Sanchez turned a dangerous ball over the penalty area into his own net.
Bale should have sealed the three points and a dream debut, but he only shot one shot out of bounds with Fabianski as the game entered stoppage time.
And that would come back to chase Mourinho’s men when a Cresswell free kick was only cleared to the edge of the box and Lanzini shot an unstoppable shot high past Hugo Lloris.
West Ham are the first team in Premier League history to avoid losing a game that was three or more goals down in the 81st minute.
“The game was under control. We had Harry Kane, who scored the fourth goal when it hit the post, and Gareth Bale to end the game. This is a game that was in the bag and we lost two points, ”said Mourinho.
“We should be stronger. You were lucky, but maybe you deserved that luck. We were unlucky, but maybe we deserved it. “
Former Socceroo Ned Zelic rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
“What a goal,” he tweeted after Lanzini’s miracle blow. “Pure drama! Incredible comeback. Incredible.
“I still can’t believe what just happened. That was outrageous. Soccer is crazy! “
American football writer Joe Prince-Wright tweeted, “There is no way this has just happened. Under no circumstance. This is absolutely crazy. This season is just crazy.
“This game. Gosh.”
Journalist Rob Blanchette added, “That was extraordinary. Football, damn it. “
AFP
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