Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says Dele Alli deserved his start in the win over Fulham on Thursday.

In what was just his second Premier League start of the season, Alli contributed to the only score of the game when his shot deflected off Tosin Adarabioyo for an own goal.

"He deserved to start," Mourinho said in his post-match press conference. "It was not a gift. It was a consequence of his work since he came back and working 100 per cent.

"He was giving us important things. Did very well in the Europa League and very well in every minute he had. He was deserving. We need the squad we have."