Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli looked back to his best on Saturday.
Steven Gerrard has told BT Sport that Dele Alli was simply “tremendous” in Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 win away to Burnley on Saturday night.
Spurs swept aside Sean Dyche’s troops at Turf Moor as a hat-trick from Harry Kane helped Tottenham leapfrog Arsenal and the Clarets into fifth, one point behind Liverpool.
In doing so, Kane equalled Alan Shearer’s record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year and naturally claimed much of the post-match plaudits.
But another encouraging element about the Lilywhites’ victory was the sight of Alli dictating things in Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield, following a very ordinary run of form.
And the Liverpool legend was full of praise for the 21-year-old midfielder, who was fortunate to stay on the field following a challenge on left-back Charlie Taylor.
“Tottenham were good today, they were back, and it was the reaction that the manager needed – especially after last week’s mauling that they got against City,” he told BT Sport. “I thought Dele Alli epitomised that.
“I know people talk about the challenge but sometimes you need a collision or challenge like that to get everyone going. I thought he was tremendous today.”
Alli was indeed excellent but the key for him is doing it again when Southampton visit Wembley on Boxing Day.
Consistency has been his primary enemy this season and it wouldn’t be at all surprising if he doesn’t replicate that performance on Tuesday.
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