LONDON: Gareth Bale came on as a substitute and scored his first goal of the return to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Bale goal gave Jose Mourinho a 2-1 win over Brighton, thus boosting Spurs to second place in the English Premier League.

Injuries and fitness levels have prevented Bale from joining the starting line-up since returning with Spurs on loan from Real Madrid last September.

But the Welsh star who set the world record for the highest transfer fee when he went to Madrid in 2013 showed his sharpness by heading in Sergio Reguilon’s cross in the 73rd minute.

Earlier, Tariq Lamptey equalized for Brighton after Harry Kane put Spurs ahead in the 13th minute penalty.

Spurs are just two points behind league leaders Liverpool.