Premier League: Tottenham 3 Wigan 1

Majestic displays by Luka Modric and Gareth Bale gave a dominant Tottenham a 3-1 win over Wigan on Tuesday.

Modric set up Bale’s opener before lashing in a goal of his own past Ali Al-Habsi, and Bale added a third after the interval in a sumptuous performance at White Hart Lane.

James McArthur netted in the 81st minute for Wigan but it was mere consolation for Roberto Martinez’s side.

Spurs fashioned the first chance of the game after five minutes when Younes Kaboul’s header from a corner was pushed away by Al-Habsi at the far post.

Niko Kranjcar was a constant threat for the Wigan defence, finding space on the left-side of the box as he alternated flanks with Bale. The recalled Croat found space for a shot on 20 minutes but drove into Al-Habsi’s arms.

The Spurs attacks kept coming and when Modric utilised his famed vision to find Bale at the back-post, the Welshman controlled with his chest before volleying past Al-Habsi.

Bale’s performance was electric throughout, the winger drifting in from both flanks and making it hard for Wigan to cope with his movement. He almost added a second before half-time when a Kranjcar pass set him free down the left, though his shot was saved by a busy Al-Habsi.

Modric then extended the margin when he swivelled on the edge of the penalty area and drilled a fine strike past Al Habsi into the bottom right corner.

Victor Moses had Wigan’s first real chance early in the second half, taking advantage of some slack defending to cut inside and arrow a shot just over Brad Friedel’s crossbar.

Martinez’s side began to gather more of the ball and Tottenham were a bit more relaxed and consequently sloppy in possession up until the hour mark.

Bale was key in thwarting the visitors’ mini-revival, making it 2-0 when he shuffled to the left corner of the box before driving the ball beyond Al-Habsi’s despairing left hand.

Substitute McArthur pulled one back for the visitors, with his left footed strike taking a deflection and looping over Friedel.

Wigan pressed for a second and Friedel was called into action a number of times but Tottenham held on for the deserved win.