ERIC DIER is relishing the role of Antonio Conte's defensive general after helping Tottenham to Saturday's stunning victory at Manchester City.
Spurs blew the title race open, boosted their top-four chances and completed the double over the champions with their last-gasp 3-2 win, inspired by Harry Kane.
The England captain scored twice, including a headed winner in stoppage time, and made Spurs' opening goal for Dejan Kulusevski with a brilliant first-time pass.
While Kane took the plaudits for a sensational performance, Dier's return from injury transformed Conte's defence from a rabble, which shipped five goals in the defeats to Southampton and Wolves, into an impressive unit.
The center-half says Conte has given him the confidence to become a leader and urged Spurs to use their display to kick-start their stuttering season.
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Denne historien er fra February 21, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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