Dele Alli: 10 key dates highlighting his meteoric rise in 2015

Mauricio Pochettino shows no hesitation in giving Alli a Spurs debut in their Premier League opening day defeat at Old Trafford.

August 22nd: Alli opens account at Foxes

A first Premier League goal on just his second appearance in England’s top-flight at the King Power Stadium helps Tottenham take a draw from their trip to Leicester City. Alli heads home from Nacer Chadli.

September 3rd: Immediately in Under-21s

Gareth Southgate gives Alli an England Under-21 debut against the USA’s Olympic team (Under-23), and he plays an hour of the friendly.

September 27th: Sizing Europe

Pochettino plays Alli from the start in Spurs’ first Europa League group stage game at home to Qarabag, and he rewards his head coach by assisting the second of two White Hart Lane goals for summer signing Heung-Min Son.

October 9th: Senior set-up

With England having already secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals, Roy Hodgson calls Alli up to the Three Lions squad to face Estonia and Lithuania. A senior international debut against the former follows, replacing Ross Barkley.

November 8th: Derby day

Alli is named Man of the Match in Tottenham’s 1-1 north London derby draw against Arsenal; his midfield partnership with Eric Dier is really blossoming, leaving Arsene Wenger to sub off Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla at half-time.

November 17th: Lights up Les Bleus battle

An incredible 2015 ends with Alli rifling in a stunning opener for England in their end of year friendly against France, on the occasion of his first start and fourth cap.

He wins possession in a 50-50 tackle with Morgan Schneiderlin, breaks forward and then finishes the move. Alli also has a hand in setting up the second goal for Wayne Rooney, again winning the ball and feeding Raheem Sterling to cross for the Three Lions skipper.

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