Dele Alli 'changed the game' for Tottenham during today's 1-0 victory over Watford at White Hart Lane, according to goalscorer Kieran Trippier.
Mauricio Pochettino's side moved up to second place in the Premier League table courtesy of their fourth successive victory but the Hornets proved to be a difficult nut to crack.
The visitors defended resolutely until Trippier finally made the breakthrough just after the hour mark when he tapped home his first goal in a Spurs shirt from close range.
The full-back sparkled on the right flank and gave Nathan Ake a torrid time but he is adamant Alli, who was introduced from the substitutes bench, provided a contribution which was more crucial than his own.
"Everyone knows Dele's ability and he changed the game," he told BT Sport.
"I don't see myself up there much but I am glad to go get the goal. You see the results today so it is a massive win for us."
Alli has been a key member of Pochettino's side this term but failed to make the starting line-up this afternoon following his early withdrawal during last week's win at Norwich due to dizziness.
The 19-year-old is set to undergo further tests to determine the problem but his role as a substitute did not hinder his ability to affect the game.
Christian Eriksen, who started at number 10 in Alli's absence, was happy to secure all three points but believes Spurs should have put the game to bed earlier given their dominance.
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"I'm really satisfied with how we're doing. We had the chances [to win by more].
"Everyone saw how many chances we had - we should have scored at least two more," he told NBC.
Spurs travel to Manchester City next weekend and could open a four-point gap over Manuel Pellegrini's side with a victory at the Etihad Stadium.
When asked about the possibility of Tottenham's title tilt Erksen said: "We'll see - we want to stay as close as possible."
