Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of the Premier League’s bottom side Norwich City, after Tim Kurl produced yet another heroic display between the sticks in a penalty shoot-out.
The defeat means that Spurs’ 12-year wait for a trophy, last lifting the League Cup in 2008, will continue for yet another season. With Harry Kane and Son Heung-min absent, the onus fell on Dele Alli to provide the goods against the Canaries. Yet, since both strikers have been sidelined the England international’s performances have been woeful and this was once again the case against Norwich.
In his past five matches across the Premier League and Champions League Dele Alli has received an average match rating of 6.38, not once scoring higher than seven, and against Norwich City that was no different, ending the game with, 6.13, as per WhoScored.
The most disappointing aspect of his performance to Jose Mourinho will likely have been Alli being dispossessed on five occasions, along with making five unsuccessful touches, as per WhoScored. No other player on the pitch conceded the ball to the opposition as many times without playing a pass. As Spurs’ lead creator, it is Alli’s responsibility to ensure his side retain possession and he failed with regard to that duty against Norwich.
Further disappointment came via the fact the 26-year-old Englishman who started the match for Tottenham and did not make a single contribution defensively, failing to provide a tackle, interception, clearance or blocked shot, as per WhoScored. Alli consistently let his teammates suffer the responsibility of defending, failing to press the opposition, while also committed two fouls, in a weak display.
In possession Alli, valued at £81m (Transfermarkt), was not at his usual levels either, with no outfield player having a lower pass accuracy than his 74.2 per cent from 31 passes, as per WhoScored. Even Gedson Fernandes was able to complete more passes, 38, than the Englishman, despite being introduced as a substitute after 53 minutes.
Alli appears to have suffered from the loss of both Kane and Son; he is crumbling under the weight of responsibility and continually underperforming of late. Having missed out on the last England squad, and with the European Championships this summer, the timing could not be worse and Jose Mourinho is likely to be prioritising the revitalisation of Tottenham’s tricky playmaker.
