Despite a rallying performance at Wembley on Thursday night, Tottenham were knocked out of the Europa League by Belgian side Gent, unaided by a first half red card for Dele Alli.
The 20-year-old will face a European ban next season, but some fans thought a more immediate punishment — such as being dropped for Spurs’ Premier League clash with Stoke City — would be appropriate.
It seems Mauricio Pochettino disagrees; Alli starts as Tottenham go with the same XI that fell narrowly short against Gent.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to all the team news.
#THFC: Lloris (C), Walker, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Wanyama, Dembele, Eriksen, Dele, Kane. #COYS pic.twitter.com/HX5A5YTCjp
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 26, 2017
Subs: Vorm, Trippier, Wimmer, Winks, Sissoko, Son, Janssen. #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 26, 2017
Unchanged, as expected. Big, big chance for Dele to (begin to?) make up for Thursday night. https://t.co/JKxveiiGwd
— Nikhil Saglani (@Nikhil_Saglani) February 26, 2017
People actually thought he'd drop Dele ?
— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) February 26, 2017
Big performances from Dier, Dele & Kane needed in particular who were far from their best on Thursday night.
— Spurs In The Blood (@SpursInTheBlood) February 26, 2017
Dele alli shouldn't be anywhere near the team after Thursday
— Lord Ryan Arnold (@MrA1974) February 26, 2017
#thfc No surprise that Dembele's starting again after coming off early on Thursday – but expect Winks will replace him between 60-70 mins.
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) February 26, 2017
Unchanged from Gent makes sense, possibly our strongest line up – just worried about Dier in back three COYFS! #COYS #THFC
— Matt Crowley (@mpc1970) February 26, 2017
Can't help but feel that a Peter Crouch flying octopus scissors kick into the top corner is inevitable today. Or a shinner. Or both. #COYS
— Dan (@ThatConnArtist) February 26, 2017
Hope all are behind Dele All today. Save your negative energy for Charlie Adam.
— Spurs Fan (@Tottenham_N17) February 26, 2017
With the kind of flair & moment of magic Dele Alli can bring to a game, wasn't a chance that Pochettino was going to drop him. #COYS#THFC
— Ricky Sacks (@RickSpur) February 26, 2017
LORD RYAN ARNOLD you should not be allowed an were near twitter or is it twatter give the kid some slack