Dele plays the lead role in Reading Router
Today’s test match in the preseason is the second in as many days for Tottenham, who beat their championship opponents 4-1 on Friday afternoon in Reading.
Here is our report from that competition at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium …
Dele Alli put in an outstanding performance as Tottenham resumed preparations for the Premier League with a 4-1 win over Reading.
After their comfortable 3-0 win over Ipswich, goals from Alli, Heung-min Son and Erik Lamela made for a routine win for Jose Mourinho in the 2020/21 season, which is now just over two weeks away.
After his impressive performance against Ipswich, new signing Pierre-Emile Hojberg kept his place in midfield and started alongside 18-year-old Harvey White.
Elsewhere, Eric Dier returned to the heart of the defense with Gedson Fernandes as right-back, while Mourinho welcomed Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura back to the side.
Tottenham were 2-0 against Ipswich within 10 minutes and were soon back in front. Ben Davies tossed an inch-perfect through pass to Son, who sent Moura a ball over the goal after his shot was blocked. The Brazilian was beaten by Omar Richards who deflected into his own goal.
The home team doubled their lead shortly afterwards, this time thanks to a brilliant moment from Alli. He won the ball in midfield, exchanging a one-two with Moura before lifting it over Rafael in the Reading goal.
Spurs weren’t made there as Son finished 3-0 at halftime in consecutive games. Bergwijn, who appeared for the first time in the preseason, played from the left against the South Korean, who then coolly opened his foot to come home.
As expected, Mourinho made a number of changes at halftime, adding Lamela, Joe Hart, Moussa Sissoko, Ryan Sessegnon, Serge Aurier and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Spurs started the second half equally destructive when Lamela shot a stunning free kick over the reading wall and snuggled into the lower right corner.
Reading were 10 minutes behind when George Puscas converted a penalty after Carter-Vickers handled the ball in the penalty area.
However, it was another comfortable win for Spurs when Mourinho handed minutes to young players Denis Cirkin, Jack Clarke, Alfie Defin, Dane Scarlett and Jamie Bowden while Toby Alderweireld played the full 90 in two consecutive games.
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