Pochettino hails 'top player' Alli

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino praised "top player" Dele Alli after the midfielder's goalscoring heroics against Barnsley. Alli scored a 65th-minute winner to see Spurs past the Championship outfit 1-0 in the third round of the EFL Cup at Wembley on Tuesday. Pochettino lauded the 21-year-old England international, although the Argentinian said the midfielder was not yet at his best. "For me, Dele Alli is a top player. He is a key player for us," Pochettino told a news conference. "I think he helps us by scoring today. I am so happy with him. It's true that everyone can do better, but I am happy. That felt good! Onto the next round #COYS #DELE20 #heretocreate pic.twitter.com/v46jdbcPLh — Dele (@dele_official) September 19, 2017 "It is a period that he needs to find his balance, but I am so happy, his performance was good. He tried and scored and that is fantastic." Spurs are back in action with a trip to West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.