Charlie Nicholas has slammed Tottenham playmaker Dele Alli.
Pundit Charlie Nicholas has told Sky Sports that Dele Alli is starting to annoy him with his diving – but is back Tottenham to beat CSKA Moscow 3-0 on Wednesday evening.
Spurs picked up a much-needed Premier League win over Swansea City on Saturday afternoon, hammering them 5-0 at White Hart Lane in one of the best performances in the last couple of months.
Tottenham had won just once in the previous ten Premier League games before beating Swansea, and the attention now turns to the Champions League as Spurs take on CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.
Wembley Stadium
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are already out of the Champions League after a 2-1 defeat to Monaco, and with just one win in their five group games, it’s been a miserable European campaign for Spurs so far.
On Wednesday, Spurs will end their Champions League campaign with a game against the one club they’ve beaten in the group stage, as CSKA Moscow travel to Wembley Stadium, where Tottenham have lost twice in two games.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Ahead of the game, pundit and former Arsenal hero Charlie Nicholas has offered his score prediction to Sky Sports, and has backed Tottenham to coast past CSKA and win the game 3-0.
Nicholas added that he thinks Tottenham’s players will play with some anger having been so poor at Wembley so far, and having picked up a 3-0 win over Swansea on Saturday, there will be a sense of belief returning to Pochettino’s squad.
Nicholas also admitted that Spurs midfielder Dele Alli is starting to annoy him after he dived to win a penalty against Swansea on Saturday, suggesting that he doesn’t even think he’s diving by going down at the slightest touch.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli is fouled by Swansea City’s Kyle Naughton for a penalty
“It’s one these situations again where we talk about momentum,” said Nicholas. “It’s been a pretty awkward few weeks but I don’t think Spurs have been playing poorly. They did well in the first half against Chelsea, played well at the Emirates and Harry Kane is scoring goals again which is going to give them belief. There’s also a wee bit of a pick-me-up in the contracts getting signed.”
“I do think there will be a bit of anger coming through from how poor they’ve been in the Champions League, especially at Wembley. Dele Alli is starting to annoy me with his diving and he clearly believes he’s not actually diving when he gets the slightest touch. I can’t see anything other than a convincing Tottenham win,” he added.
What’s your prediction for Tottenham v CSKA Moscow?
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