It was another frustrating night for Gareth Bale.
Restored to the Spurs squad after a rather odd week, in which Mourinho said the Welshman had asked to be left out of the FA Cup defeat by Everton in midweek because he did not feel right, then rejected the insinuation of a social media post that he was training well, Bale was not introduced until the 71st minute.
By then, Tottenham were three down and Mourinho had already used two substitutes, which further underlines the gap between manager and player.
Bale was responsible for the only moment of inspiration for the visitors in open play, when he took possession from Rodri, then beat three men before shooting too close to Ederson from the edge of the box, allowing the City keeper to save.
Without a swift change of fortune, a season that promised so much for both parties is in danger of turning into damp squib, with the plea from those close to Bale that he just needs a run of games to find his form unlikely to be heeded.
Credit: BBC Sport
