Soccer: Bale's magic double keeps Spurs in with chance

Gareth Bale ensured Tottenham stayed within touching distance of the two Manchester clubs heading the Premier League ladder with a brace in yesterday's 2-0 at Norwich.

Harry Redknapp's men moved four points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea and five in front of north London rivals Arsenal, who could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves.

Spurs also closed to within seven points of the top two of City and United, while they also have a game in hand on the runaway leaders.

Asked what it would take for him to admit Spurs were title contenders, Redknapp said: "If there's one game to go and we're still in with a chance. It's not impossible but Manchester City and Manchester United look so strong. We want to get back in the Champions League, if that's possible."

Bale broke the deadlock at Carrow Rd in the 55th minute, although his opener owed much to Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Togo striker controlled a pass with his back to goal and shielded the ball from several defenders before teeing up Bale who smashed a shot past Canaries goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Twelve minutes later Wales winger Bale doubled Spurs' lead with a goal that was all his own work.

He received the ball in the centre circle and then accelerated away through the heart of Norwich's defence with a brilliant turn of speed.

As Zak Whitbread tried forlornly to get across, Bale bore down on goal and deftly chipped the advancing Ruddy to make it 2-0.

"You have to keep grinding out chances and hope one will come for you and it did," Bale told Sky Sports. "We learned a lot from being in the Champions League and I'm improving all the time."

Redknapp added: "Gareth is an amazing player. I said to him 'go and play where you want to play'. He gets in holes and when he turns and runs at you, he's unplayable."

Arsenal had to be content with a point despite Wolves being down to 10 men for the final 15 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

Gervinho gave Arsenal an eighth-minute lead when, following a superb through ball from Israeli playmaker Yossi Benayoun, the forward rounded Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey.

But Wolves were level shortly before half-time when a corner came out to Stephen Hunt, whose shot took a deflection before Steven Fletcher reacted quickly to head in an equaliser.

Wolves were a man down in the 75th minute when Nenad Milijas was sent off by referee Stuart Atwell for diving in on Mikel Arteta.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was delighted by a result that left his side two points above the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, promoted clubs Swansea and QPR shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Swansea took a 14th-minute lead through striker Danny Graham but QPR levelled shortly before the hour mark.

- AAP