Villas-Boas hails Bale display in Newcastle win (From Enfield Independent)

Andre Villas-Boas hails Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale display in Newcastle United win

3:41pm Saturday 9th February 2013 in Sport By Chris Hewett

Andre Villas-Boas hailed the performance of Gareth Bale in his side’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United.

Spurs climbed to third in the table above Chelsea, who play later today, and the Portuguese head coach said the contribution of the Welsh winger was vital.

Bale put the home side ahead with a superb free-kick and grabbed a winner with 15 minutes left with a devastating solo run and finish.

Villas-Boas said: “It was a great individual performance. It’s outstanding to see a player enjoying his football. Great teams are made of great individuals and Gareth Bale, with the opportunities he creates, can be decisive for the team.

“As long as we are able to exploit his full potential and he is enjoying his football, the team benefits.”

Villas-Boas waved away suggestions his team might become over reliant on the 23-year-old but said it was important to keep him at the club.

He said: “The best teams have to hold on to their best player. Barcelona losing Messi would be a disaster, Real Madrid losing Ronaldo would be a disaster and this is exactly the same.

“He’s assisting, he’s creating he’s scoring and I think he’s getting the buzz out of his best goal scoring season.

“There isn’t any release clause in English football and we’re not willing to let our best assets go. We can’t turn this into a debate every time a player does well. He’s playing extremely well for us and everyone is extremely happy to enjoy this.”