Friday 24 February 2017 23:40, UK
Harry Kane insists Dele Alli has learned a lesson after being sent off for his reckless tackle in the Europa League.
Tottenham crashed out to Gent in the last 32 on Thursday after a 2-2 draw at Wembley ensured the Belgian side went through 3-2 on aggregate.
Alli was the villain of the piece as his red card for a horror challenge on Gent's Brecht Dejaegere at 1-1 left Tottenham needing to score twice with 10 men.
"Dele will learn from this," Kane said. "Obviously in European football when tackles like that go in you are more likely to get a red card.
"He is obviously gutted and feels like he has let us down a bit but Dele has been great for us this season. We fought hard for him to turn it around.
"It is something he will learn from and get experience from for the future."
Alli's tackle was high and dangerous, spearing his studs just below Dejaegere's knee, but the Belgian felt no bitterness after the match.
"Dele Alli just said sorry to me and that's nice from him, he's a professional," Dejaegere said.
"We're okay, it's football. I saw the images and it could have been much worse. I don't think he meant it because he came to apologise himself."
Dejaegere was able to continue initially but had to be substituted in the 56th minute when the pain in his knee became more acute.
"The red card made a big difference," Dejaegere said. "Even with 10 they found a free man but with 11 they would have had even one more. I think it also made a difference in the heads of the players."
Christian Eriksen's opener and an own goal from Kane meant the game hung in the balance when Alli was given his marching orders by referee Manuel De Sousa.
Victor Wanyama's superb second-half strike gave Tottenham hope but Jeremy Perbet's late goal on the break sealed Gent a 2-2 draw and 3-2 win on aggregate.
Alli had cut a frustrated figure in the first half and his challenge appeared an expression of anger, after he had been denied a free-kick moments before.
Toby Alderweireld said the 20-year-old had apologised to his Tottenham team-mates.
"Of course he said sorry. He didn't mean to get sent off," Alderweireld said.
"Two seconds before someone made a foul on him and he reacted to that but he did not want to get a red card. He is young and I know for 100 per cent he didn't mean [to do it]."
