Three things we learnt from Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League exit at the hands of Gent

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Deli Alli needs to learn an important lesson

For all the talent he has, questions over Alli’s temperament continue to stalk him. Last season he was banned for three matches after punching West Bromwich Albion’s Claudio Yacob in the midriff and there have been further examples of indiscipline since, not least in the first leg of this tie when he was booked for dissent. Here, he was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Dejaegere, which could easily have broken his leg. Alli had no complaints – it was a shocking challenge that fully deserved the ultimate punishment. What provoked it? Alli felt he should have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up, but that was no excuse for his dreadful lunge. If he hasn’t already, it is time for manager Pochettino to have a stern word with his young starlet, who quickly needs to learn how to manage his aggression on the pitch. Alli has become a pivotal player for Spurs and his chequered disciplinary record is doing them no favours.