Dele Alli should have been sent off against Manchester City on Saturday after trying to hurt Kevin De Bruyne, says former Premier League referee Graham Poll.
The youngster was booked for a vicious tackle on Manchester City star De Bruyne in the second half of our 4-1 defeat.It was one of a number of strong challenges in the game, with six players being booked in total.
However Poll says Alli’s was the worst of the lot and believes referee Craig Pawson got the decision wrong.
“This is the one that I think is the worst one of all,” Poll said on BT Sport.Dele Alli goes over the top of the ball and he catches him.
Poll added: “There’s some wait going through that challenge as well and I think he’s meaning to hurt him. I think Craig Pawson is checking their with the fourth official and he’s not sure so he goes for a yellow.But that one is the one of any that is definitely a red card.”
The article says striker Harry Kane also got booked for a tackle on Raheem Sterling with Poll saying Kane could have been sent off however he admits it lacked the intensity shown by Alli in his challenge.
“I’m looking at intensity and on another day the Kane one could have been a red card,”:Poll said.
“When you look at the challenge I just don’t see the intensity in it.
“It’s more of a dangled foot, he’s not driving through with force. But, on another day, it could easily have been a red card.”
So do we agree with Poll’s estimation, is Dele a lucky boy not to be staring a 3 game ban, another for violent conduct. Maybe he fancied Christmas off. Let us know your thoughts
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
