Gareth Bale proved unstoppable again on Sunday night as he picked up both the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.
The 23-year-old Tottenham winger became only the third man to win the double accolade, following Andy Gray in 1976-77 and Cristiano Ronaldo six years ago.
He also joined Mark Hughes, Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Ronaldo as the only men to have won the main award twice, after his first triumph in 2010-11.
Double delight: Gareth Bale won both the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards on Sunday
Winners: Bale with Women's Player of the Year Kim Little and PFA Chairman Gordon Taylor
Special guests: Manchester United Class of 92' featuring Ryan Giggs (bottom row left), Eric Harrison (bottom row, second left), Sir Alex Ferguson (bottom right, second right), Paul Scholes (bottom row right), George Switzer (top row second left), Kevin Pilkington (top row, fourth left) Phil Neville (top row centre), Chris Casper (top row fourth right) Nicky Butt (top row third right) John O'Kane (top row second right) and Gary Neville (top row, right) won the PFA Merit Award
Bale said: ‘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.
‘When you look at the list there are some massive names on it but I couldn’t have done it without the team. They have been fantastic this year and so has the manager, so I would like to give them all a big thank you as well.
‘The other nominees have been unbelievable, they have been outstanding for their clubs and it’s a massive moment to win, especially as it’s both awards. It’s something that I’m extremely proud of.’
Peerless: Bale has scooped the coveted PFA Player of the Year gong for a second time
High times: Bale's incredible athleticism has meant his goals have come in all manner of ways
PFA TEAM OF THE SEASON
(4-4-2) De Gea (United); Zabaleta (City), Vertonghen (Spurs), Ferdinand (United), Baines (Everton); Mata (Chelsea), Bale (Spurs), Carrick (United), Hazard (Chelsea); Van Persie (United), Suarez (Liverpool)
Bale has almost single-handedly kept Spurs in contention for a place in next season’s Champions League, scoring 19 goals in 29 Premier League appearances, including a goal-of-the-season contender at West Ham and one in Tottenham’s first win at Manchester United in 23 years.
The Welshman was presented with the main trophy at the PFA’s annual awards dinner in London. He finished top of a shortlist that included Manchester United pair Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick, Chelsea duo Juan Mata and Eden Hazard, and controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
Key man: Bale's 18 league goals have bee vital for Spurs, especially against United, Arsenal and West Ham
OSSIE ARDILES
'As Andre Villas-Boas has said, we need to be in Europe to keep him and I think this is what is going to happen. He is very happy playing at Spurs - he is a big idol there and a big hero. At the moment he is very happy indeed.
'From the point of view of a supporter, I hope he stays for as long as possible at the club.
'I think he deserves to win. He has had a superb season.
All six players were named in the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year, along with David de Gea and Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United, Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City, Everton’s Leighton Baines and another Tottenham player, Belgian Jan Vertonghen.
Reflecting on those he himself has been impressed with, Bale added: 'I think the same as everyone - Van Persie, Suarez, just to name two. They have been outstanding this season and it's been a great season for everyone to watch. There is still some time to go.'
In good company: Cristiano Ronaldo won both awards in 2007, and Andy Gray (right) scooped them in 1977
And on how he has surpassed his achievements of last year, in which he scored 15 goals, he explained: 'It's probably more shooting to be honest. I think I have come inside a lot more.
'I have a few less assists this year but I am in more scoring positions these days and that has obviously helped my scoring tally as we have seen this season.
'The goal against Norwich was one of my favourites, the West Ham one... Those two are my favourites from this season.'
In the young player category, Bale was selected ahead of Christian Benteke, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard.