MX23RW : Tuesday, November 13 09:01:08

Dele Alli's performance in focus as Tottenham edge PSV Eindhoven

Dele Alli's performance in focus as Tottenham edge PSV Eindhoven
© Reuters
Spurs earned their first victory in Group B.

Dele Alli returned from a hamstring problem to play the full 90 minutes of Tottenham's 2-1 Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven.

The midfielder was back in Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI after missing Saturday's Premier League win at Wolves as a precaution.

Spurs captain Harry Kane earned the hosts victory with a second-half double after Luuk De Jong headed the Dutch side into the lead inside two minutes.

Here, Press Association Sport analyses Alli's performance at Wembley.

Role

The 22-year-old was the most advanced of Spurs' central midfield trio. Playing just ahead of Harry Winks and Christian Eriksen, Alli was tasked with supporting lone striker Kane, with Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min supplying the attacking width. With Spurs trailing, he regularly pushed on alongside England captain Kane.

Creativity

Dele Alli
Dele Alli (left) was bright on his return to Tottenham's starting XI (Adam Davy/PA)

Alli was confident on the ball and constantly looking to slip team-mates through on goal. His ninth-minute pass led to Kane being denied by a block from PSV defender Nick Viergever, while a poke across goal saw Denmark international Eriksen fire straight at visiting goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet from close range with the goal gaping.

Defensive contribution

Although the former MK Dons man had limited defensive responsibility, he played a part in the away side's second-minute opener. Alli was man-marking goal-scorer De Jong on the edge of the Spurs 18-yard box but was blocked off, allowing the PSV captain to rise unchallenged and nod home.

Goal threat

England international Alli could easily have claimed a first-half hat-trick. He saw a spectacular back-heeled flick headed off the line by PSV defender Angelino following a Davinson Sanchez knock-down and was denied twice from close range by Zoet having broken into promising positions.

Overall

Alli, who last week signed a new contract until 2024, endured a frustrating Tuesday evening. His performance was bright, yet he failed to influence the Group B clash at the key moments. He lost scorer De Jong for the Eredivsie champions' goal and then failed to take advantage of a handful of presentable chances, before Kane revived Spurs' hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

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A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City1210203653132
2Liverpool129302351830
3Chelsea128402781928
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs1290320101027
5Arsenal1273226151124
6Bournemouth126242116520
7Watford126241714320
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd126242021-120
9Everton125431915419
10Leicester CityLeicester125251716117
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves124441213-116
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton124261318-514
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham123361418-412
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle12237915-69
15Burnley122371225-139
16Crystal Palace12228817-98
17Southampton12156821-138
18Cardiff CityCardiff122281125-148
19Huddersfield TownHuddersfield12147622-167
20Fulham121291131-205

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