Tottenham Hotspur FC climbed to fifth in the Premier League with a convincing 3-1 victory against Queens Park Rangers FC after Gareth Bale scored either side of Rafael van der Vaart's 33rd-minute strike.

Harry Redknapp's side took control from the outset and were rewarded for their dominance when Bale found space at the back post before firing past Paddy Kenny. The hosts then doubled their advantage 13 minutes later as Van der Vaart latched onto Ledley King's mishit shot and finished with aplomb.

The visitors began the second half with renewed vigour and halved the deficit through substitute Jay Bothroyd's header. However, the result was put beyond doubt when Bale rounded off a slick passing move by curling a delightful first-time shot into the top corner.