Dele: ‘One of those difficult moments’

What a difference a week makes. Dele Alli painted a picture of dejection after our FA Cup semi-final loss against Manchester United last weekend. Nine days later he was on target again, this time in a 2-0 win over Watford as we strengthened our grip on a place in the top four.

Dele's opening strike was his ninth in the Premier League as he aims for double-figures for the third-successive campaign and his 13th in all competitions this season.

Devastated after the loss against United, it felt right to speak to Dele again post-match after his goal helped to a big three-point haul.

"I was so disappointed, it was one of those moments in football where you want the ground to swallow you up," said the England international. "We had to bounce back, stay strong and we got the points against Watford. We’ll keep fighting until the end."

Below: Dele tucks away the opener

The 22-year-old certainly illustrated the togetherness and steely determination in this group to recover from that semi-final blow and continue striding towards Champions League qualification for next season.

The win restored our five-point advantage over fifth-placed Chelsea and moved us to within a point of Liverpool with a game in hand on the Reds.

"We had to stay strong (after the semi-final). We had to pick ourselves up. We’re a team. Everyone was disappointed and together, we all wanted to get these three points against Watford - and we did that."  

As for the performance against Watford, Dele conceded we weren't at our best, but it was about getting the job done.

Hugo Lloris was forced into a couple of fine saves in the first half but Dele's goal plus Harry Kane's strike early in the second half saw us home.

✋ pic.twitter.com/AErzkkPXzh

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 2, 2018

"I don't think it was our best performance by any means - we can play a lot better - but it was a good win, we're back on track and winning games again," said Dele.

"Watford made it difficult for us and created chances. Everyone has played a part for us this season and Hugo Lloris was fantastic in the first half. We didn’t move the ball as quickly as we can but it was just important we got the three points."

It all means that if we win our last three matches - West Brom away this Saturday (3pm), Newcastle (9 May, 8pm) and Leicester (13 May, 3pm) at Wembley - we will finish at least third.

Dele added: "We have to focus and stay strong until the end of the season, keep fighting and picking up points."