LONDON -- Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino says Dele Alli is "calmer" and "more mature" following his costly altercation with West Bromwich Albion's Claudio Yacob last season.
Alli, 20, received a three-match retrospective ban after punching Yacob in the stomach in Tottenham's 1-1 draw with West Brom in April, which left them trailing league leaders, and eventual champions, Leicester City by seven points with three matches remaining.
In the midfielder's absence, Spurs squandered a two-goal lead at Chelsea, ending their title hopes, before losing to Southampton and a 5-1 defeat at relegated Newcastle to slip behind rivals Arsenal on the final day.