Mauricio Pochettino "so happy" with Dele Alli following EFL Cup performance

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has praised Dele Alli following his goalscoring performance in Tuesday's EFL Cup tie against Barnsley.

The England international was selected to start the 1-0 win at Wembley after suffering a dip in form in previous matches.

The 21-year-old managed to break the deadlock against Tottenham's Championship opponents in the 65th minute, and Pochettino was happy with what he witnessed.

"For me, Dele Alli is a top player," Sky Sports News quotes Pochettino as saying. "He is a key player for us. 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. 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."

Tottenham are next in action this Saturday when they face West Ham United at the London Stadium.