Tottenham Hotspur had their attention pulled in a number of different directions yesterday but it would later settle on a theme which has become central to their campaign.

As the London club's ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League were muted decisively despite victory over Sunderland – for whom David Vaughan was sent off in the second half – the question as to how Spurs will be able to keep a hold of Gareth Bale and other coveted talents became that much easier to hear.

In case there was any need to appraise his value further yesterday, Bale scored his 25th goal of a season in which Spurs were only able to finish in a qualifying spot for the Europa League; Arsenal's win over Newcastle United securing fourth place in the Barclays Premier League ahead of their London rivals. It is considered a modest stage for a player who has been mentioned as a potential target for Real Madrid, with his swerving drive which beat Simon Mignolet in the last minute at White Hart Lane doing little to reduce his attraction to the great and good of European football.

Andre Villas-Boas was prepared for questions about the Welshman's future yesterday but he has not yet consigned himself to losing the midfielder this summer. "This has been an ongoing question. We have to keep our ambitions high, hold on to our best players," said the Spurs manager. "To make it better in the future we have to hold on to the best. [Yesterday] there was a great moment of individual brilliance although the squad was very strong."

Bale had been booked for diving earlier in the afternoon – although he was pulled back as he ran in on goal – but the greater disappointment of his afternoon came from the north east, where Arsenal's win maintained a one-point cushion and that Champions League berth.

"I thought that [Spurs were in the top four] because of the celebrations from our fans before our goal," said Michael Dawson, the Spurs defender. "After Gaz scored I sort of picked things up – the fans weren't as lively as if we'd been in the top four."