Dele Alli slammed by pundits but Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino defends his young star

Daily Mail | February 24, 2017

Dele Alli was accused of committing a potential leg-breaking challenge when he was sent off as Tottenham were eliminated from the Europa League by Gent.

The 20-year-old was shown a straight red card in the 40th minute for a horrendous knee-high tackle with his studs on Gent midfielder Brecht Dejaegere.

But manager Mauricio Pochettino defended his young star, saying: 'He was wound up, he was fouled three second before. It was a clear foul.

Mauricio Pochettino has defended Dele Alli despite his shocking red card tackle on Thursday

Dele Alli launches himself into a knee-high, studs up tackle which saw him dismissed — Alli launches himself into a knee-high, studs up tackle which saw him dismissed

Refereeu00a0Manuel de Sousa was left with little choice to send off the Tottenham man

At that stage Spurs were left a man short and needing to score two more goals to progress

Alli looks to the heavens after being shown the red card, but he could have no complaintsu00a0 — Alli looks to the heavens after being shown the red card, but he could have no complaints

Portuguese referee Manuel De Sousa had no choice but to dismiss Dele Alli once he had made the dreadful challenge on Brecht Dejaegere; it was an over the top, studs first, 'X-rated' challenge that could have potentially broken his leg.