Alli double helps Tottenham snap Chelsea jinx

Tottenham Hotspur ended 28 years of hurt and took a massive stride in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League as Dele Alli struck twice in a 3-1 victory at Chelsea on Sunday.

Not since Gary Lineker scored the winning goal in 1990 had Tottenham taken three points home from Stamford Bridge and in 2016 their title hopes were ended by the Blues in a rumbustious draw dubbed the ‘Battle of the Bridge’.

Fourth-placed Tottenham, unbeaten in the league since December, began the day five points clear of Chelsea, but it looked like being a familiar tale of woe when Alvaro Morata punished a Hugo Lloris mistake to head the hosts in front.

Christian Eriksen bamboozled Willy Caballero with a dipping effort just before the break though and Alli, whose form and temperament has been questioned of late, struck twice in four minutes in the second half.

The sight of fit-again Harry Kane coming on as a substitute added to the joy of Tottenham’s fans who could finally celebrate at Stamford Bridge after 27 league games there without a win – a run of 18 defeats and nine draws. 

Tottenham have 64 points to Chelsea’s 56 with seven games remaining. Spurs are only two points behind third-placed Liverpool, having played a game less.

“After 28 years it is important to win here. It’s a happy day for everyone – fans, players – and we feel very proud,” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said.

“We dominated the game but Chelsea created the chances and scored. In the second half we were much better and we deserved the victory. The players deserve praise because we showed character at 1-0 down. It’s a day to feel very proud.”