Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed questions over Dele Alli being dropped from Tottenham's starting line-up for Wednesday's 2-0 win over Brighton.
Alli's place on the substitutes' bench marked the first time in over a year that the midfielder, when fit, failed to make a Premier League starting line-up after missing out for a 3-2 win over West Ham on November 19, 2016.
Wednesday's game also marked Erik Lamela's return to a starting line-up in even longer after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with hip injuries.
Pochettino appeared frustrated at questions over his selection, pointing at the talent on the benches of Spurs' division rivals.
"How does another player at Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool react when they are on the bench? Tottenham is a specialist in creating problems," Pochettino said.
"Alli was on the bench and then played 20 minutes. He's an important player for us. How do other players react when they are on the bench?
"Sure they are unhappy. No one is happy. Everyone on the bench wanted to play."
