Dele looking forward

Dele Alli will not rest on his laurels after making his first Spurs start at Sunderland.

After three substitute appearances, the young midfielder started in an attacking role off Harry Kane in our 1-0 win in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Now Dele, 19, is looking for his next start with the games coming thick and fast – four in nine days at the Lane – as we open our Europa League group campaign against Qarabag on Thursday night (8.05pm) before facing Palace on Sunday, Arsenal in the League Cup next Wednesday (September 23) and the runaway leaders City on Sunday week.

“I have to be positive, keep looking forward and the next challenge is now to get the next start and to play as well as I can,” said Dele.

“I can’t thank the players and fans enough for how the season has started for me, the gaffer and the staff for how they’ve helped me settle in and the chances they’ve given me. I was delighted to get that first start.”

Cheeese pic.twitter.com/7d2eEeJAWa

— dele alli (@dele_alli36) September 15, 2015

Dele was replaced by Erik Lamela on 66 minutes and watched on the bench as Ryan Mason struck the winner eight minutes from time at Sunderland.

“We were all up on our feet, delighted to get the goal and the win,” said Dele. “It was a massive win for our confidence.

“We knew if we kept a clean sheet, kept a solid back four and kept that clean sheet that the goal would come eventually.

“Everyone was on the edge of their seats waiting for the goal to come and that’s what it was about, waiting for the chance, waiting for the finish and thankfully Ryan did it.”

Below: Dele speaks to Spurs TV at the Stadium of Light