Video: Dele Alli’s Killer Tackle That Could Have Ended Genk Player’s Career 1

This one has been coming ever since Dele Alli made his Tottenham debut over 18 months ago.

The Spurs midfielder may be one of the hottest prospects in world football but his temper, like so many young stars, often gets the better of him.

And Alli has finally seen red for a truly horrifying lunge during their Europa League clash with Gent.

After losing control of the ball, Alli went hurtling into Brecht Dejaegere at knee height:


Despite them needing to score at least twice as the match approached half-time, few would have written off Spurs.

But they were then reduced to 10 men after Alli’s poor tackle.alli2

The 20-year-old England midfielder has previously shown glimpses of a fiery streak, alongside his technical brilliance, but this was the first red card of his career.

Alli felt referee Manuel de Sousa should have given him a free-kick close to the halfway line and briefly remonstrated with the Portuguese official before turning and launching into Genk midfielder Brecht Dejaegere with a studs-up challenge.

Alli caught Dejaegere just under his right knee – and luckily the Belgian appeared to escape serious injury.

Tottenham did not escape without damage, though.

The match referee brandished the red card without hesitation and Alli was off with less than 40 minutes on the clock.

The tie really wasn’t going to plan for Spurs after a Harry Kane own goal had cancelled out Christian Eriksen’s early opener.

Spurs were trailing 1-0 from the first leg of their last 32 encounter and Alli’s sending off looks set to have made things a whole lot more difficult.