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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Spurs star finally reveals who came up with the 'Dele challenge' & hints at new goal celebration

Dele Alli loves a celebration, almost as much as he likes scoring goals.

In the 2017/2018 campaign after netting against Watford and Manchester United he treated supporters inside Wembley Stadium to different various of the 'Fortnite' dance - made famous in football by Atletico Madrid and France superstar Antoine Griezmann.

But last season it was out with the old and in the with new.

After netting what turned out to be the winner against Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the 2018/2019 season the England international performed his latest celebration by holding his hand up to his face in an awkward fashion.

Problem was, nobody seemed to know the meaning behind it, who created it or even how to perform it.

But Manchester United star Jesse Lingard claimed his brother first did it and Alli has effectively confirmed that story but also mentioned the role of Jamie Vardy.

"This is actually coming from the World Cup around the hotel," he told Sky Sports . "There was a day when some of the kids came in - from the families - and [Jamie] Vardy was in the room next to me and his kids come in and they started doing this (the challenge).

"They asked if I could do it and I could do it straight away.

"I don't actually know who started it.

"I think Jesse [Lingard] might have taught them when they came.

"But obviously I went away after the World Cup with some of my friends and we were doing this on holiday as well."

But does Alli have something in store for when he finds the back of the net this season?

"Not planned," he added. "When I was at MK [Dons], I was watching back clips before and I always used to do stupid celebrations with Benik Afobe and I don't know why I stopped doing them.

"You never know, I might [bring out a new celebration this season]."

Alli won't be able to open his account this evening as he's been ruled out of the clash with newly-promoted Aston Villa through injury.

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