Fuller 25         Bale 19, 30

Tottenham grabbed their first EPL win of the season in controversial circumstances after Welsh international Gareth Bale’s spectacular left-foot volley had given them a lead to defend in the second half.

The hosts thought they’d equalised when Jon Walters’ 86^th-minute header appeared to cross the line after a goalmouth scramble.

But a seemingly well-placed referee Chris Foy failed to see the ball go in, although Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was quick to highlight a foul by Robert Huth on his keeper Heurelho Gomes seconds earlier.

There was an element of fortune about Spurs 19^th-minute opener as Ryan Shawcross’s clearance from Peter Crouch’s header struck Bale full in the face and rebounded into the net.

Ricardo Fuller levelled matters six minutes later with a close-range right-footed finish after a Matthew Etherington corner created predictable havoc in the Spurs rearguard.

However, Spurs dominated the first-half. And Bale’s winner on the half-hour was worthy of winning any game, a left-foot waist-high volley from the corner of the penalty area after Aaron Lennon’s floated pass across the face of the box.

Gomes made a spectacular fingertip save from substitute Tuncay’s deflected shot on 70 minutes. But despite incessant late Potters’ pressure, Spurs held out.