DELE ALLI EXPECTS his critics will still “have something to say” despite his match-winning performance in Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.
The England international scored twice in the second half to help Spurs to a 3-1 win, their first at Stamford Bridge in the top flight in 28 years.
Alli had only scored six times in the league prior to Sunday’s match and has been criticised for a perceived dip in form compared to 2016-17, when he scored 18 times and provided seven assists in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old, though, does not feel he had a point to prove against the champions and thinks there will always be scrutiny of his displays.
“I’m sure people will still be disappointed with the way I’ve played. They’ll have something to say,” he told Sky Sports.
“For me, it was just about helping the team as much as I can. Like I’ve said before, what people say, I try not to let it affect me as much as I can.
“I don’t think I had a point to prove. I just had to get into the starting 11 and help the team.”
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with Alli’s display but feels he should be given “room to breathe” in his development.
“He’s a great talent and I have no doubts about him,” said Pochettino.”Young players need room to breathe.
“There’s pressure on their shoulders. But he has nothing to show to me or Tottenham. It’s more about the expectation being so high. I’m so happy for him.”
Alli’s double came after Christian Eriksen’s stunning strike cancelled out Alvaro Morata’s opener for Chelsea.
The result means Antonio Conte’s side are now eight points behind fourth-place Spurs with just seven league games remaining, but Alli does not think the race for the Champions League places has been settled.
“I can’t say we’re guaranteed [a top-four spot],” he said. ”We’re in great form, we’ve got a few games left, so we just have to make sure we keep winning. We can’t get carried away.
“Obviously, we’d have liked to win the league, but we have to take what we can and keep building.”
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As a Dub we have had some serious battles over the past 5 years with mayo and I don’t like them but I have huge admiration for them and there players. 50/50 next Saturday really looking forward to it.
It was a very good game, I don’t think the conditions had too much of an effect. Mayo surprised me big time, I sincerely thought they would not be at this stage of the championship after last years heartache but they are and they seem to be getting better with every game. If they had one more forward of the calibre of Moran they’d be very hard to beat. Kerry on the other hand had to rely on their vast experience to counter-act a sub-par performance, are they as bad as they were yesterday or was it just a blip? Anyway, hopefully the replay will be as good a game, look forward as a neutral to another enthralling game.
Interesting. The Kerry full back line looked like a herd of sheep going into a field for the first time. Maybe a billy could help them out instead of Tomas’ buddy.
Agree with some of the analysis but for me Mayo pushed up and hadnt the legs to get back to defend as we will see Tyrone and Dublin will filter back. I thought Moran was outstanding for Kerry. Its 50/50 for the replay but Mayo by one for me so the Dubs can beat them in another Final pg.
@Vinny Hughes: I didn’t know the other semi final was already played!
@Vinny Hughes:
Remember the red HAND OF ULSTER Vinny .your not there to beat anyone yet ,,,!!!!!!!’