Who is the Premier League player of the season so far? The results

We asked you who the player of the season so far was

Gareth Bale (GETTY IMAGES)

Following Gareth Bale's double against West Ham earlier this week, including a stunning last minute strike, Andre Villas-Boas opened the debate on the player of the season award.

When the Tottenham manager was asked if his winger would be deserving of the accolade, Villas-Boas replied: "I think so. It would be truly deserved, but it is not up to me to make that consideration. But you have to recognise that he is having a tremendous season. So he is probably a contender, he is for us, hopefully he can get there."

But we didn't just want to hear what AVB had to say on the subject - we wanted to hear what you thought.

After 24 hours of voting, over 1500 of you took part and these were the results.

1. Gareth Bale - 39 per cent

2. Luis Suarez - 22 per cent

3. Robin van Persie - 18 per cent

We also asked you for your thoughts on the subject.

Among those included among the contenders were Swansea striker Michu, Sergio Ageuro of Manchester City and Jack Wilshere of Arsenal.

A few of you were disgruntled with Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata not making the shortlist. Tom said the Spaniard has "been the only consistent performer Chelsea have had this season."

While Robin van Persie came third in our poll, taxpayer20 felt the Manchester United striker deserved recognition for his consistency over the season: "Bale is just coming on song and may shade it but van Persie has been doing it for over a year now both scoring and assists and will have medals to show for it."

Suarez came second, and the Liverpool striker's range of goals deserve merit said millhouse: "I think for sheer range of goals he has scored, it has to be Suarez. I'm not sure there's another player in the PL who could have scored that goal against Newcastle."

But the final word goes to Bale, our poll winner by a distance. John said: "Has to be Bale - no one has produced more edge of your seat moments and truly 'special' goals this season!"