The 19-year-old Tottenham Hotspur schemer was the standout performer in a comfortable victory for the Three Lions, scoring the opening goal of the game shortly before half-time and having a hand in the second, netted by Wayne Rooney three minutes into the second half. That performance clearly impressed head coach Hodgson, who is trying to firm up his plans for the European Championship finals in France next summer.
He told reporters: "It was as close as you can get to faultless performance. I didn't at any moment of the game think he was anything other than top class."It is amazing at that age - with no previous experience unless you count those 10-minute substitute appearances - for him to go in and do what he did tonight was outstanding. He'll get a lot of praise for that performance - he certainly deserves a lot of praise."
Alli was making his first senior start for England, having previously made three appearances as a substitute - against Estonia, Lithuania and Spain. The teenager has become a first-team regular with Spurs this season, having impressed last term during a loan spell with MK Dons, who he helped win promotion to The Championship.