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Mauricio Pochettino responds to Dele Alli's 'punch' incident during West Brom draw
TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino believes Dele Alli is becoming a target for opposition teams trying to wind him up after he clashed with West Brom's Claudio Yacob last night.
Mauricio Pochettino says clubs are targeting Dele Alli
Alli could face a retrospective three-match ban after the PFA Young Player of the Year appeared to punch Yacob in the stomach during the sides' 1-1 draw last night.
The pair clashed twice in the early stages at White Hart Lane but Alli's reaction could see him miss the rest of Tottenham's campaign if found guilty of violent conduct.
It is not the first time the England international has landed himself in hot water this season.
He was lucky to escape punishment for throwing a ball in the face of Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt in January and then a month later he seemed to drag his feet over an opponent's back against Fiorentina in the Europa League.
Pochettino admits the 20-year-old has a competitive edge but also believes players are starting to provoke him.
Dele Alli - Spotlight on
"I hear some comments but I have no time to see the action," said Pochettino of the incident with Yacob.
"Sometimes the opponent find him and try to provoke, they know he has a strong character and may react.
"I don't know what has happened, we will see. I have nothing to comment now but Dele has a strong character if you wind him up."
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