Bale: Practice makes perfect

Tottenham star Gareth Bale has credited plenty of training-ground practice for his two excellent free-kicks against Lyon on Thursday.

Tottenham star Gareth Bale has credited plenty of training-ground practice for his two excellent free-kicks against Lyon on Thursday.

The Welshman added to the set-piece he scored against Newcastle last Sunday with two long-range efforts in the Europa League tie first leg – the first from 35 yards out in first-half injury time and the second coming with the last kick of the game.

A delightful strike from Samuel Umtiti was sandwiched between the goals, the youngster hitting the ball first-time from an acute angle, leaving Brad Friedel stranded in goal.

“I’m delighted. I’ve been practising free-kicks on the training ground and I scored one like that last week. Both came at good times in the game,” Bale told ITV.

“Lyon are a good team and we weren’t 100 percent to be honest – we looked a bit tired.

“But the most important thing is we got the win. It’s going to be hard going over there, but we’re taking this competition seriously.”

Spurs travel to France next week with the advantage, but Umtiti’s away goal leaves the tie firmly in the balance.