‘Naughty’ side pleases Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino is happy to assume the role of father figure to his “naughty” Tottenham side who continue to come of age as the title race approaches its final examination.

Spurs golden child Dele Alli appeared to throw the ball straight into Patrick van Aanholt’s face during an incident at half-time, perhaps frustrated after the Dutchman left him for dead to fire Sam Allardyce’s side into an undeserved 40th-minute lead.

The advantage lasted just 91 seconds, however, until Christian Eriksen’s bizarre equaliser, but Alli might not have forgotten when the sides headed in for the break.