Tottenham see off Wigan (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Tottenham Hotspur close in on leaders after beating Wigan Athletic

10:17pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Spurs

Spurs closed the gap to leaders Manchester City after Harry Redknapp's side beat Wigan Athletic 3-1 at White Hart Lane.

Gareth Bale struck twice for the hosts either side of a Luka Modric effort to put the Lilywhites well on the way to victory.

James McArthur replied for the Latics but it was too little too late as the home side claimed maximum points.

With City losing at Everton, Spurs were presented with the chance to eat into Roberto Mancini's men's lead in the Premier League and they didn't disappoint.

The game was half an hour old when Bale struck first, controlling a cross-field pass from Modric with his chest before neatly volleying home for the advantage.

The Croatian was then the beneficiary of a moment of misfortune as an attempted clearance came back off Jordi Gomez for the playmaker to drill in from 20 yards for a two-goal lead at the break.

The third saw Bale receive the ball in the corner of the box before beating Ben Watson to find the net and remove any doubt as to what the result would be.

Wigan did manage a consolation though with ten minutes to play as Victor Moses found McArthur to finish over Brad Friedel via a Scott Parker deflection, but Tottenham held firm to secure the points.