The sound of boots striking the turf echoed through Hotspur Way's training grounds. Sunlight broke through thin clouds, warming the damp grass. A cool September breeze rustled the banners lining the fences — Tottenham Hotspur's crest fluttered proudly in the wind.
It had been a week since my thunderous debut against Liverpool, and the media hadn't stopped talking.
"Who is this kid?""Alli the Anomaly!""Tottenham's Secret Weapon!"
I watched the sports analysts rave over replays of my 35-yard rocket, looping it from every angle. Social media exploded. My Instagram follower count tripled. I was trending on X. But none of that mattered when I stepped onto the training pitch.
Because the System had issued a challenge.
[SYSTEM MISSION]"Prove It Wasn't Luck"
Objective: Score or assist in your next Premier League start.Reward: +3 Vision, +2 Composure, +1 FlairTime Limit: One MatchPenalty: -3 Mental Attributes
No pressure.
I wasn't worried though — not anymore. My body felt sharper by the day. My vision was clearer. The touches were instinctive, the movements automatic. And Poch had noticed.
During Wednesday's tactical session, he pulled me aside, resting a hand on my shoulder."Dele, you're starting against West Ham."
I could barely contain my grin. The London derby — the tension, the passion, the hate. I knew what it meant. And this time, I had 90 minutes to make my mark.
Matchday: 2015 Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham UnitedVenue: White Hart LaneKick-off: 17:30 BST
The atmosphere was electric. White Hart Lane shook with chants. The fans smelled blood. West Ham had been overperforming, sitting 4th in the table — and we were eager to drag them back to reality.
Tottenham Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Hugo Lloris
RB: Kyle Walker
CBs: Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld
LB: Danny Rose
CDMs: Eric Dier, Mousa Dembélé
CAM: Dele Alli
RW: Erik Lamela
LW: Nacer Chadli
ST: Harry Kane
West Ham (4-1-4-1):
GK: Adrián
RB: Carl Jenkinson
CBs: James Tomkins, Winston Reid
LB: Aaron Cresswell
CDM: Mark Noble
CMs: Dimitri Payet, Pedro Obiang
RW: Victor Moses
LW: Manuel Lanzini
ST: Diafra Sakho
Slaven Bilić had West Ham playing quick, transitional football — using Payet and Lanzini to overload the wings and isolate defenders. But we were ready.
Kick-off.
The first 15 minutes were cagey. West Ham pressed high, forcing errors from our backline. In the 18th minute, Payet slipped a through ball to Sakho, who rounded Lloris — but Walker sprinted back, clearing the ball off the line. A let-off.
Then we took control.
I dropped deeper to receive the ball, dragging Noble out of position. With a feint, I turned past him and sprayed a diagonal to Chadli on the left. One touch, cross in — Kane's header flashed just wide.
"Good idea, Dele!" Poch barked from the touchline.
We were warming up.
25th minute. GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 West Ham.
It started with Dembélé muscling Obiang off the ball. He found me between the lines. I turned sharply, drawing two defenders, then chipped it toward the penalty spot.
Kane adjusted mid-run and volleyed it into the bottom corner. Pure class.
The stadium erupted.
[SYSTEM ALERT – MISSION COMPLETE]+3 Vision+2 Composure+1 FlairTrait Unlocked: "Tempo Dictator"
I smiled as I jogged back to position, hiding the notification blinking in my mind's eye. Only I could see it — my secret advantage.
We didn't let up.
38th minute. GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 West Ham.
Lamela cut in from the right, dummied past Cresswell, and slid a pass into my feet. I let it roll across my body, feinted left, then threaded a reverse ball between the center-backs. Chadli arrived perfectly timed, slipping it under Adrián.
Another assist. Another roar.
West Ham were shell-shocked.
HALF-TIME:Tottenham 2 – 0 West HamPossession: 62%Shots: 9 (5 on target)Key Passes: 4 (Alli – 2)
In the dressing room, Poch didn't say much."Same energy. No mercy. They'll open up more — punish them."
Second Half
They made changes. Bilić brought on Andy Carroll for Sakho in the 56th minute to add aerial threat. It worked — temporarily.
60th minute. GOAL! West Ham 2-1 Tottenham.
Corner kick. Carroll rose above Vertonghen and thundered a header in. The Hammers fans found their voice.
But it didn't last.
67th minute. GOAL! Tottenham 3-1 West Ham.
And it was all me.
I picked up the ball just inside our half. Payet pressed. I flicked it over his outstretched leg. Noble stepped in — I nutmegged him. The crowd gasped.
Running toward the box, I saw Kane's run draw Reid wide. I cut inside and curled a shot toward the far post.
Adrián dove.
Too late.
Net rippled.
Dele Alli. Age: 19. Minutes Played: 67. Impact: Unforgettable.
White Hart Lane exploded. I sprinted to the corner flag, did the eye-trick celebration, and the cameras went wild.
FULL-TIME: Tottenham 3 – 1 West Ham
Fans chanted my name. Reporters called me "London's Rising Star."I didn't hear any of it.
Because in my mind, the System pinged once more.
[SYSTEM MISSION COMPLETE]New Attribute Cap Unlocked:
Creativity cap increased from 80 → 88
Passing cap increased from 78 → 85
"Flair Vision" synergy unlocked (Bonus: +5% chance of successful skill pass when under pressure)
New Skill Available: No-Look Through BallNew Shop Item: "Elite Mentality Pack" – 2500 XP
As I walked off the pitch, Kane clapped my back."You're not just here to stay, mate. You're here to dominate."
I just nodded.
Because I wasn't finished yet.
Not even close.