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Football

24th Feb 2021

WATCH: Dele Alli shows he’s still got it with stunning bicycle kick

Dele Alli was given a rare start in Spurs' Europa League tie against Austrian side Wolfsberger, and grabbed the chance to impress with both hands

Reuben Pinder

It seems to be the week of the bicycle kick

If you thought Olivier Giroud’s bicycle kick against Atlético Madrid was good – and it was, spectacular even, a Puskas contender surely – then you’ll be in awe of what Dele Alli has just done.

The Tottenham midfielder has struggled for minutes under José Mourinho, who seems to have chosen Dele as one of his subjects for his mentality test, in which he bombs a player out for no reason and sees how they respond. And while Dele has not exactly lit up the Premier League in the few minutes he has been afforded, he is performing to a good standard in the Europa League.

The 24-year-old was given a start in the second leg of Spurs’ Europa League tie against Wolfsberger, having already won the first leg 4-1.

And it only took him ten minutes to score a stunning bicycle kick and remind the world just what he is capable of.

Playing in his favoured number 10 role, he spread the ball out from left to right, before making a run into the box. Occupying a pocket of space near the penalty spot, Matt Doherty’s cross found its way back to Dele.

With his back to goal, he lifted the ball above his head, setting himself up for a spectacular effort on goal and managed to direct the shot beyond the reach of the opposing goalkeeper.

You can already imagine the debates that will be had about whether this goal was better than Giroud’s from the night before. I would argue this one, as the shot had more power and the touch preceding the finish was better. However, they’re both good. There’s really no need for such a debate.