The incident took place in the beginning of the second half. Goran Popov was red-carded for allegedly spitting at Kyle Walker three minutes after the break.
After that Spurs pegged the Baggies back on the edge of their own box and Bale broke the deadlock in the 67th minute with a stunning 22-yard strike.
The Baggies battled against the odds to try and salvage a point, but it proved a bridge too far.
Steve Clarke, the West Bromwich Albion manager, admitted after the game he was fuming with Goran Popov for getting sent-off:
"Of course the sending-off changes it. It’s difficult enough in the Barclays Premier League playing against 11 players, especially when you’re playing against a good team like Tottenham. It changed the whole complexion of the game. There is no excuse and no place for it in life, let alone on a football pitch. Has he apologised? I’ve not given him the chance yet. I haven’t had a one-on-one conversation with Goran, we spoke about it after the game as a group. I like to think at some stage he will apologise. There will be disciplinary procedures taken against him and that will remain in-house as always"
Goran Popov will be fined two weeks' wages. He will not play the next week when The Baggies face Liverpool.
* Photo wba.co.uk
