Christian Eriksen: The man behind Dele Alli’s predatory form

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Tottenham’s Danish delight is once again proving indispensable for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, not least their star man.

As Tottenham Hotspur bathe in Wednesday night’s Premier League victory over table topping and record seeking Chelsea, their fifth league win in a row has seen Spurs catapulted into the title picture once more.

Dele Alli netted his seventh game in four against Chelsea, but whilst the 20 year-old has now reached double figures for the campaign, the contribution of one of his teammates has been the catalyst for Alli’s purple patch.

Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen shoots at goal

Like Alli, Tottenham’s Scandinavian maestro Christian Eriksen struggled to hit the heights in the early stages of the season. Since scoring his first of the season – also against The Blues – at Stamford Bridge back in November however, the Dane has begun to pull the strings for Spurs.

Allotting five goals and six assists in his last eight domestic outings, Eriksen is a thorn in league defences across the land. His performance versus Chelsea was indicative of how his excellent form has been a catalyst for Dele Alli.

Assisting both goals in the 2-0 win, the former Ajax man is now amongst the finest creators in the Premier League, with his eye for not only a goal, but for a pass.

Dele Alli celebrates scoring the first goal for Tottenham with Harry Kane (2nd R), Christian Eriksen (L) and Erik Lamela (R)

According to WhoScored, Eriksen is now registering over four shots per game for Tottenham. After 19 games, the Danish international averages an healthy 2.9 key passes per game, just 0.1 short of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

On the face of it, his shot to goal ratio is nothing to write home about, but the possession Eriksen utilises opens up the play for Tottenham, with Alli being the recipient in a left wing – almost shadow forward berth.

Tottenham’s Dele Alli scores their first goal

Last season, Alli thrived on the long balls of Toby Alderweireld, but with the Belgian’s absence for almost three months of the season so far, the 24 year-old’s strong form of late has been vital for Tottenham.

As Dele Alli shakes off the memories of a humbling Euro 2016 with England, the Tottenham man is beginning to hit his straps once more as the season enters into second half.

It is worth remembering, however, the contribution of Eriksen in the past weeks. As Alli discovers his eye for goal once more, Eriksen will remain a key figure for Tottenham if they are to sustain another unlikely title tilt this term.