Dele Alli scored a late equalizer on Saturday as Tottenham narrowly avoided another humbling loss, salvaging a 1-1 home draw against last-place Watford in the Premier League.
Watford looked headed for its first league win of the season after Abdoulaye Doucoure put the visitors ahead in the sixth minute and Tottenham once again looked short of inspiration as it struggled to find a response.
But Alli scored his first goal for Spurs since January in the 86th minute, capitalizing on a goalkeeping mistake by Ben Foster. Alli beat Foster to a ball in an aerial duel and slotted the ball into the net with his second touch.
Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game against Watford during their English Premier League soccer match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. (Jonathan BradyPA via AP)
There was huge confusion in the stadium, though, as VAR checked for a possible handball by Alli, and the big screens then flashed a message that the goal had been disallowed. However, the referee pointed to the spot and the goal stood.
It saved Spurs from a third straight loss in all competitions, following the embarrassing 7-2 rout by Bayern Munich in the Champions League and a 3-0 defeat to Brighton before the international break.
However, this latest setback still puts more pressure on manager Mauricio Pochettino, with Tottenham near midtable and losing more ground to its top-four rivals.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino on the touchline during the match against Watford during their English Premier League soccer match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. (Jonathan BradyPA via AP)
More AP soccer https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports