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DELE ALLI has yet again been caught up in a diving controversy.

The Tottenham midfielder went down easily after colliding with Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey in the 73rd minute.

 Dele Alli was yet again caught up in diving controversy during the game against Crystal Palace
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Dele Alli was yet again caught up in diving controversy during the game against Crystal PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association
 Dele Alli appears to start falling before Wayne Hennessey touches him
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Dele Alli appears to start falling before Wayne Hennessey touches himCredit: PA:Press Association

But it looked as if Alli was already on the way down and was trying to con referee Kevin Friend into awarding a penalty.

Friend did not book the former MK Dons star but because a penalty was not awarded he will not face retrospective action.

Alli has already been booked twice for diving this season in the Huddersfield and Liverpool clashes.

But boss Mauricio Pochettino was quick to defend his player and thinks he has become and easy target.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham: Harry Kane nets late winner as Dele Alli embroiled in diving storm again
 Dele Alli the throws himself to the ground in search of a penalty
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Dele Alli the throws himself to the ground in search of a penaltyCredit: PA:Press Association

Poch said: “He is an easy target for everyone. 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.”


HURRIKANE Crystal Palace 0 Tottenham 1: Harry Kane nets late winner as Dele Alli embroiled in diving storm again


Palace boss Roy Hodgson also defended the England international saying his only option was to go to ground.

When asked if he thought it was a dive, he said: “No, not really. He only had the option to go down. The way our defenders defend the situation, he had to go down to avoid them. I don't think he was looking for a penalty.

 Dele Alli was not booked or awarded a penalty by referee Kevin Friend
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Dele Alli was not booked or awarded a penalty by referee Kevin FriendCredit: AFP or licensors

"I'd like to see again the one where Sorloth gets through.

"That excited me more in terms of a penalty than the other one distressed me. That's what happens [crowd getting agitated with Alli] when there are concerted moments, not campaign, when all the talk in the massed 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 in that situation.”

Tottenham star Dele Alli booked for diving at Huddersfield

He said: "Dele Alli has dived into him there. He's probably half a foot away from Wayne Hennessey when he's dived into him.

"Unfortunately for him, the storm around him diving will probably continue now."

Spurs were unfortunate not to win a legitimate penalty in the first half when Ben Davies was taken out by Hennessey.

Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness said: "He makes contact with him, it's a penalty."

Tottenham star Dele Alli gets booked for diving against Liverpool
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