Spur’s Bale named PFA player of the year

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gareth Bale became only the third man to be named the English Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) player of the year and young player of the year in the same season on Sunday.The 23-year-old Wales international, who also won the main award in 2011, has scored 19 Premier League goals this season - a tally bettered only by Manchester United striker Robin van Persie with 25 and controversial Liverpool forward Luis Suarez (23).“It’s a massive honour. To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game. It’s great to win it and I am delighted,” Bale said.His frightening pace, agility and clinical finishing have marked him out again this term and his successful switch from left wing to a roving central midfield role has also helped fifth-placed Spurs in their pursuit of a Champions League spot.He took the main award ahead of second-placed Suarez, last year’s winner Van Persie and fellow nominees Manchester United’s Michael Carrick and Chelsea pair Eden Hazard and Juan Mata.Bale joins Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Mark Hughes in earning the main award twice. Ronaldo in 2007 and Andy Gray in 1977 won both awards in the same year.Liverpool contender Suarez was given a 10-match ban on Wednesday for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic when the sides met at Anfield last weekend and served an eight-game suspension last season for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.The PFA Premier League team of the year was David de Gea (Man Utd), Pablo Zabaleta (Man City), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Leighton Baines (Everton), Mata, Carrick, Hazard, Bale, Suarez and Van Persie.

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Spur’s Bale named PFA player of the year