Mauricio Pochettino hails birthday boy Dele Alli

Tottenham 4 Watford 0: Dele Alli turns 21 tomorrow, and although Mauricio Pochettino says he loves him like a son, it is typical of the Tottenham manager’s style that he will not give special treatment to the man he believes is the best young player in Europe.

It is not that Pochettino fails to appreciate what most observers now agree on, and the statistics support — that Alli has scored more goals this season than anyone under 21 in Europe’s big five leagues, and has scored and assisted in more goals, 40, than a combination of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham achieved by that landmark birthday.

His 19th goal this season was arguably his best, a long range shot that flew past Heurelho Gomes to break the stubborn resistance of Watford, allowing Spurs to coast to another 4-0 victory and keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea.