Bale hails Tottenham character in Champions League push

The 23-year-old indicated the confidence gained from the impressive turnaround against Manchester City will boost their cause, while Jermain Defoe was delighted with his goal.

Gareth Bale believes the desire and belief Tottenham showed in its comeback againstManchester City will help Spurs in their bid to finish in the top four.

The Welshman recovered from an ankle injury to play the full 90 minutes at White Hart Lane on Sunday, and was on fine form as he set up USA star Clint Dempsey for Spurs' equalizer before scoring the hosts' third as they came from a goal down to win 3-1.

The 23-year-old, who had joy in the second period when moving out wide, praised his teammates for fighting until the very end against the reigning champions as they grabbed a vital win.

"They don't play with wingers, so it was compact in the middle," Bale told Sky Sports. "At halftime the gaffer said there's more space out wide and it proved a good move in the end. [It was] great to get three points.

"[The equalizer] gave us the belief to go on and win it. As soon as that went in, the crowd lifted, we lifted and we showed the character in the team that we've got."

The result keeps Andre Villas-Boas' men in with a great chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League, and Bale thinks the win over City will boast the club's confidence in the long run.

“It's massive, the club's moving forward every year, and the players want to be playing in the Champions League playing against the best teams," Bale said. "We showed that today, that's why we're going to push until the end of the season to make the top four.”

Jermain Defoe came off the bench to fire Spurs 2-1 up and expressed his delight at finding the net, while the England forward also lauded his colleagues for their impressive turnaround.

"Before the game we knew it would be difficult," Defoe said. "[They're a] great team and great players. But we showed great character, the lads played well and everyone dug in. The finish was unbelievable, everyone is happy.

"As a forward you want to score goals, but as I've always said the most important thing is to get three points – but I'm delighted, [it was] good to see it go in."