Dele Alli hits back at critics after scoring against Everton

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has hit back at his critics after scoring against Everton in their 1-1 draw.

Ex-footballers Gary Neville and Roy Keane slammed the 23-year-old after Spurs lost to Liverpool, claiming Alli had 'lost his hunger' and is 'half the player he used to be'.

'I don’t look too much into what other people say,' Alli told Sky Sports in a post match interview.

'When certain people say something, it really hurts, when other people say things it’s in one ear and out of the other. But coming from League One to the Premier League, you have to have a strong mentality and I’ll keep showing that.

Alli has struggled to make an impact on the pitch so far this season, along with most of his Tottenham team mates who are under performing under Mauricio Pochettino.

'I didn’t have a great season last season, I had injuries, but I’ll put that behind me,' he added.

'I didn’t play well against Liverpool but in other games I have.

'I don’t want to get back to where I was, I want to surpass that. Some people say things not to help, just to say it for the sake of it. My manager, team-mates and family, I’ll keep listening to them.'

Alli gave Spurs the lead in the 63rd minute when he dribbled past two Everton defenders and he slotted the ball past Jordan Pickford.

He explained: 'It was nice to get a goal. The celebration was something for my friend, I won’t go into it too much.'