POCH: ALLI IS AN EASY TARGET

A HARRY KANE goal and a Dele Alli dive. It might, at last, be the weekly double that puts the bookmakers out of business. Alli is a magnificent talent. He was at the heart of Tottenham’s prodding and probing of the Crystal Palace backline as they chased a winning goal. But as the Spurs players left the pitch, he was booed by Palace supporters. Once again, Alli made enemies with a display of amateur dramatics. Alli did have a strong case for one penalty which was turned down. In the second half, Patrick van Aanholt nibbled at his heels and Alli should have been awarded a penalty. Yet just a couple of minutes later, he demonstrated his darker arts as he threw himself to the ground when confronting a loose ball and onrushing goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. Referee Kevin Friend ignored it but should have cautioned Alli. Palace players seemed keen on a different form of retribution as Van Aanholt squared up to the England midfielder. Palace manager Roy Hodgson, who coached Alli for England, said: ‘When all the talk in the media is about players diving, the public jump on the bandwagon to get as much advantage as they can. I’d advise Patrick not to square up to Dele Alli. My money would be on Dele Alli.’ Mauricio Pochettino’s defence of his player was more passionate. The Tottenham manager said: ‘We need to stop saying too much about him to stop helping people, the fans, creating this reputation. He’s so competitive and played very well today but Dele is an easy target.’ Yet Alli has created his own reputation. He has already received two bookings this season for the same offence, more than any other player in the Premier League. Pochettino, too, has nurtured Alli’s shadier tendencies. Only a few weeks ago, he hankered after the era in Argentina when everybody ‘congratulated the player who tricked the referee’. If Alli and Pochettino continue down this road they will have to accept when referees are doubtful of legitimate penalty claims and fans take aim at one of England’s finest talents.