Dele Alli displays growing maturity in Tottenham man of the match performance

Dele Alli, the focal point of key events during the season opener against Newcastle, was the primary reason Spurs leave the northeast with all three points. 

After an predicted quiet first half, Alli grew in confidence as the game progressed. He scored Spurs’ first goal, was integral on the second and capped the performance off by handing his team an advantage that made securing all three points all the easier.

Jonjo Shelvey red card

The crafty midfielder duped an unwitting Jonjo Shelvey into a calamitous decision three minutes after the restart.

After being fouled by Newcastle’s midfielder, Alli knocked the ball away from Shelvey, whose resulting actions resembled those you’d expect from a petulant child. Aggrieved by Alli’s actions, Shelvey deliberately stepped on the Tottenham midfielder’s ankle, resulting in an instant dismissal.

Alli himself has been known to lose his head, sometimes lashing out in an undisciplined manner to the chagrin of teammates.

But Spurs’ top-scoring midfielder from last season showed how much he has matured under Pochettino’s leadership. In the post-match interview he made it clear that Pochettino talked to him about the necessity for calmer heads prevailing. By goading Shelvey into the senseless act, Alli helped hand Spurs a decisive advantage in an otherwise even-keeled match.

Alli scores season opener

Alli capitalized on Shelvey’s moment of madness thirteen minutes after the Newcastle midfielder was shown the door. Alli wasn’t properly tracked on one of his prototypical deep runs from midfield and Christian Eriksen obliged, plopping his lobbed through ball on a platter for the 21-year-old.

Alli reinforced his dominance on the game by showing his playmaking ability. His deft flick found Harry Kane, who then relayed it to Christian Eriksen. Ben Davies eventually scored Spurs’ second but it was Alli’s vision and skill that set the play in motion.

Placing the proverbial cherry on top, Alli also drew a yellow card from Matt Richie four minutes after the Shelvey sending off.

Next: Tottenham player ratings away to Newcastle

Kane and Eriksen, combining on both Spurs’ goals, also enjoyed excellent second half performances but the unparalleled effect Alli had on Tyneside is indisputable.

He was the main reason Tottenham walked away from the northeast with all three points and we can expect a lot more of the same from the ingenious, crafty and maturing midfielder.