Alli sidelined as Moura ensures Spurs progress

NUNO Espirito Santo said Tottenham are working to get the best out of Dele Alli after he was left out of the 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Burnley.

In a throwback to Alli’s struggles under Jose Mourinho last season, the 25-year-old did not travel to Turf Moor for the game that was won by Lucas Moura’s second-half header.

With teams allowed to name nine substitutes and five changes, for Alli to not even make the bench seems a big statement by Nuno.

Harry Winks was another player left out and Nuno said: “Not just Dele, it was Harry also, they are our players, we continue to focus on getting the best out of each of our players.

“Dele is one of the cases we have to try and improve.”

Asked whether the pair could be involved in Saturday’s visit of Manchester United in the Premier

League, Nuno added: “We are going to travel.

“We have a training session tomorrow and we will assess all the players like we always do. ”

This was an important win for Spurs and Nuno, who has been under pressure after an indifferent start to his spell in charge.

It was another toothless display at Turf Moor, barring a 10-minute period in the second half where Moura headed home the winner.

Burnley had just one shot on goal and rarely looked like getting anything out of the game as they search for a winning formula.

They have won just one game this season, against Rochdale in the last round of this competition, but boss Sean Dyche feels they are close.

He said: “Lots of good things are happening, there are some good signs. The attitude is correct, the belief in what we are trying to do is correct, we just need that moment.”

Pep Guardiola