Football: West Ham hit back to draw 3-3 at Spurs on Bale's return

Welsh star makes first outing for more than 7 years but is eclipsed as visitors net thrice late to earn draw

Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh striker Gareth Bale runs with the ball on Oct 18, 2020. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON (REUTERS) - Gareth Bale made his first appearance for Tottenham Hotspur for more than seven years but his return was overshadowed as West Ham United scored three times late on to earn a 3-3 draw.

With Bale on the substitutes bench, Tottenham started in sensational fashion as Son Heung-min scored inside a minute and Harry Kane scored twice as the hosts led 3-0 after 16 minutes .

Welshman Bale, on loan from Real Madrid, came off the bench in the 71st minute, but instead of a glorious introduction, West Ham ripped up the script with a stupendous fight back.

Fabian Balbuena's 82nd minute header and Davinson Sanchez's own goal gave West Ham hope. Bale almost scored his side's fourth but West Ham's Manuel Lanzini struck a wonder-goal deep in stoppage time to earn his side an unlikely point.

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