Russell Edge

Sat 23 December 2017 22:21, UK

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he was delighted with the performance of midfield star Dele Alli during the club’s 3-0 win away at Burnley on Saturday.

Striker Harry Kane netted all three goals at Turf Moor to secure victory and equal Alan Shearer’s record for goals scored in a single calendar year, with the chance to take the honour for his own in the boxing day clash against Southampton.

However, despite the England forward’s impressing display in front of goal, it was the showing of Alli which left Pochettino purring, with the midfielder having to endure significant abuse from the home fans after an early clash with Charlie Taylor, with his rash challenge earning him a yellow card.

The 21-year-old went on to earn a penalty just minutes, which further incensed the Burnley faithful, before setting Kane up for one of his goals on the way to his hat trick.

Speaking after the game, Pochettino was quoted by football.london as saying: “He is a special player.

“He is so special and his character and the way he plays sometimes the crowd focus on him.

“It (the tackle on Taylor) was an action, a dangerous action and a yellow card.

“The penalty was a penalty, his contribution was fantastic today. I am so happy with his performance.”

This season has seen Alli miss just one of the club’s league matches, and has made a total of 23 appearances across all competitions, chipping in with seven goals and a further seven assists.

Spurs’ win means they leapfrogged Burnley and Arsenal in the Premier League table to finish the day in fifth, level on points but a spot ahead of their north London rivals and a point behind Liverpool in fourth.

In other Tottenham news, fans were left delighted with one of Alli and Kane’s team mates in the win over Burnley.