Bamidele Ali scores brace to sink Chelsea's ship

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino praised “fighter” Dele Alli for coming through a “tough period” to score two goals as Spurs won at Chelsea for the first time in 28 years.

After Alvaro Morata headed in Victor Moses’ cross to give the hosts the lead, Christian Eriksen hit a stunning equaliser on the stroke of half-time as his dipping effort from 25 yards dropped just under the bar and over a stranded Willy Caballero, BBC reports.

Alli then took centre stage in the second half, putting Tottenham ahead just after the hour mark when he produced a sublime first touch to bring Eric Dier’s ball under control before slotting beyond Caballero.

The England midfielder was well-placed four minutes later to stab in following a goalmouth scramble and wrap up a win that moves fourth-placed Tottenham eight points clear of Chelsea, who are fifth.

It was also the perfect response by Alli after a disappointing couple of weeks with England on international duty.

He failed to make an impact in a 22-minute substitute appearance in the 1-0 win against the Netherlands and was then left on the bench for the 1-1 draw with Italy.

“I’m very, very pleased,” said Pochettino. “It’s been a tough period for him, but for no doubt about his talent, his character. He’s a fighter; very competitive.

“If he doesn’t play for the international team he needs to fight and win trust and confidence again.

“In the end, he’s a great talent, only 21 years old, and sometimes we lose the focus on that.

“Sometimes the expectation is too much. There is too much pressure.”