Dele Alli scored a brace on Sunday as Tottenham beat Chelsea.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has told BBC Radio 5 Live that he is impressed with Tottenham Hotspur sensation Dele Alli’s character after the playmaker scored a brace against Chelsea on Sunday.
The 21-year-old found the back of the net twice within the space of four minutes to down Antonio Conte’s side as Spurs earned a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge, in what is an important win in relation to the race for the top four.
England international Alli took his tally to 10 goals for the season, adding to his 16 assists in all competitions, but the former MK Dons ace has been criticised for failing to replicate his explosive 2016-17 performances.
However, praise came from an unlikely source in Arsenal icon Wright, who applauded Alli’s mentality as the Tottenham number 20 brushed aside critics to star in west London.
“He’s got to play like we saw him influence the game yesterday,” Wright said. “He scored two goals in a big game and we’ve seen him do it before against Chelsea. He’s got the character and the personality where he can rise to the big game.
“He’s proven that he can respond. What he’s done in the last three years is phenomenal from where he has come from. He gets a bad press because of the diving, but as a footballer and a 21-year-old, he’s progressing at the right pace.”
Spurs had gone behind during Sunday’s London derby, as Alvaro Morata found the back of the net only for Christian Eriksen to equalise in first-half injury time. Alli took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half, scoring twice.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men now sit a huge eight points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea in fourth, with only seven Premier League games to play. They face Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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