Premier League Tottenham hammered Italian giants Internazionale 3-0 in the Europa League last night.

In-form Gareth Bale gave Spurs the lead after just six minutes with a superb header from Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson’s cross.

The home side dominated first half possession and doubled their lead on 18 minutes. Inter keeper Samir Handanovic saved Jermain Defoe’s effort, only for Sigurdsson to score from close-range with the rebound.

Spurs made it three in the 53^rd minute, defender Jan Vertonghen heading home from a corner kick. It wasn’t all good news though as star player Gareth Bale was booked for simulation and will miss the second leg of the tie.

Even without Bale Tottenham are now heavy favourites to get to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Elsewhere, European champions Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Steaua Bucurest in Romania. The only goal of the game came from a very debatable penalty kick in the 34^th minute. Chelsea full-back Ryan Bertrand was adjudged to have pulled down in-form Steaua striker Raul Rusescu in the penalty area and the striker scored from the resulting spot kick.

Chelsea looked lacklustre against the Romanians, but of course has the sheer quality to defeat Steaua in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Whether they will remains to be seen.

England’s other representative in the competition Newcastle secured a very creditable 0-0 draw in Russia with new money side Anji. The draw gives the Magpies a good chance of making it into the last eight.

Serie A side Lazio claimed a 2-0 win at Bundesliga side Stuttgart. The visitor’s goals came from Ederson and Ogenyi Onazi and put the Italian side completely in control of the tie.

Russian side Zenit suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat at Swiss side Basel. Late goals from Diaz and Alexander Frei were enough to defeat the visitors, who also had Brazilian ace Luis Neto dismissed in injury-time.

Who will win the Europa League?