Bale did not look ‘best chuffed’ when hooked after nearly an hour (59 minutes) into the North London Derby but did the 31-year-old deserve to get hooked, by José Mourinho?
The quick answer is that beyond two examples of dribbling, then yes. No shots, no assists, no shot assists, and two failed crosses didn’t deliver anything that inspired. Naturally being dropped in to aid the drowning Matt Doherty did little to aid his chances, but on balance it was another mediocre performance, by anyone’s expectations.