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Heung-Min Son claims Dele Alli is back in business because he is finally shaking off the weight of expectation.

Son reckons England fans wanted too much, too young from Alli, who bagged his first brace in a home game for Tottenham since January 2017, with Moussa Sissoko grabbing the third.

It capped a big week for the 23-year-old, who now has three goals and an assist in three games under new boss Jose Mourinho, who is playing him as a No10.

And even though Harry Wilson later scored twice for Bournemouth, Alli came off in stoppage time to a standing ovation with his career well and truly back on the up.

Dropped by England and struggling badly for form, Mourinho even tried some mind games in training by asking him: “Are you Dele Alli or Dele Alli’s brother?”

And he has been rewarded, with Alli back playing closer to Harry Kane and looking like the player tipped for the top when he twice won Young Player of the Year honours.

Team-mate Son, who knows what it’s like to have the weight of a nation on your shoulders as South Korea’s biggest sporting star, said: “It’s not easy. He is still young.

“There has been too much talking around him in my opinion. I think too many people have been expecting too much from him. Of course, he is one of the best players, a talented player.

(Image: Getty)

“But he got injured last season. He needed to get his fitness back. Now, you see the talent is there. You can see how he plays, how he makes the decisions. It’s only about timing.

“He is doing well, he is confident. Everything at the moment is very positive. He is working very hard at the moment and everyone wants to see this. I am more than happy to see him playing so well.”

From handshake routines to training-ground japes, Alli and Son have forged a close friendship at Spurs and the 27-year-old has played a key role behind the scenes in his mate’s resurgence.

Son said: “With Dele I can speak normally with funny things, but also realistically. We are close friends on and off the pitch. He is doing so well at the moment and everyone is happy for him.

“Young players need senior players to help them. This is the most important thing. We are all professional but I think they need some help.”

The two combined for Tottenham’s opener, with long balls from Toby Alderweireld also playing a part in both of Alli’s goals.

And he finished the match with more shots and more shots on target in the game than anyone else as he fired a reminder to England boss Gareth Southgate of his talents.

Spurs are still conceding too many goals but their more direct approach under Mourinho, who has got them back to basics, has brought ten goals in the manager’s first three games.

Son said: “It looks more direct. It’s important we try to find the right decisions. The right timing is important. The players know when you have to play, go forwards, when you have to keep the ball.

“The confidence changed a lot. This is the main thing. The lads play with passion and positive energy. This is the most important thing in football.”