Tottenham star’s contribution was overshadowed.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli was ripped apart by pundits after his performance against Liverpool.
Roy Keane led the criticism on Sky Sports along with Graeme Souness and Gary Neville, suggesting the Tottenham star had lost his hunger.
Alli responded in the perfect way, by scoring in the draw with Everton. It was so nearly the winning goal.
The events which would follow overshadowed Alli’s contribution.
Alli was involved in a VAR controversy when he was seen to get away with handling inside his own box, before Andre Gomes suffered a terrible injury.
Cenk Tosun headed in an injury time winner to grab a point, and continue Tottenham’s terrible away record this season.
All of these were big talking points, but it also detracted from the way Alli bounced back. The Spurs star was an unlucky victim of circumstance.
Alli’s run into space cried out for a pass and when he got it, his finish was clinical. This was like the Dele Alli of old.
Taking his goal against Watford into account too, Alli actually now has two in his last three Premier League games.
For a player who has received plenty of criticism, it’s a step in the right direction.
Alli deserves more praise for the way he responded, but if he feels he didn’t get enough, that’s fine. He will have to keep on working hard to get the respect he feels he deserves, and that can only be good for Spurs.
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