West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur players stand in memory of ex-West Ham United player and England captain Bobby Moore prior to kick off on February 25, 2013 © PA Photos

The hosts enjoyed the first chance of the game in the 10th minute as Andy Carroll and Joe Cole combined to find Matt Jarvis, but the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man could only direct his shot straight at Hugo Lloris having cut inside.

Spurs were ahead just three minutes later as Bale fired his shot across Jussi Jaaskelainen to get his 14th league goal of the season.

The Hammers were level just over 10 minutes later, however, as Scott Parker brought Carroll down inside the box. Carroll took the spot kick, smashing his effort past Hugo Lloris.

West Ham's Andy Carroll celebrates with teammates after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur on February 25, 2013 © PA Photos

Steven Caulker came close to restoring his side's lead right on the stroke of half time, but his header from Bale's cross was well saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Jaaskelainen denied Caulker again two minutes into the second half, with the Tottenham man again getting on the end of a Bale corner.

Spurs should have been ahead just before the hour mark when Gylfi Sigurdsson's curling effort was tipped onto the post by Jaaskelainen. Emmanuel Adebayor was following up, but somehow headed straight into the arms of the West Ham keeper with the goal gaping.

The hosts punished Adebayor for this missed chance immediately, taking the lead through Cole one minute later after the former Liverpool man had been found by Joey O'Brien.

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his side's first goal against West Ham United on February 25, 2013 © PA Photos

Spurs pushed for an equaliser but found Jaaskelainen in fine form and the West Ham keeper saved from Caulker again before getting his fingertips to a Bale strike.

They finally did get a second with 15 minutes left as a Bale free kick bobbled around the box before eventually being bundled home by Sigurdsson.

Bale then stole all three points for his side in the 90th minute with a stunning strike from long range to put Spurs above Chelsea into third in the Premier League.