Friday 24 February 2017 11:29, UK
Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame Dele Alli's dismissal for Tottenham's Europa League exit at the hands of Gent on Thursday.
Alli was sent off as Spurs were held to a 2-2 draw at Wembley, which meant Pochettino's men lost the tie 3-2 on aggregate and crashed out in the last 32.
Harry Kane's own goal had cancelled out Christian Eriksen's early opener before Alli's moment of madness came in the 39th minute.
The 20-year-old, frustrated at being denied a free-kick, jumped to his feet, miscontrolled the ball and then thrust his right foot high and into the shin of Gent's Brecht Dejaegere.
It meant Tottenham were left needing to score twice more with 10 men and while Victor Wanyama gave the hosts temporary hope in the second half, Jeremy Perbet's late goal sealed Gent a surprise aggregate victory.
"He is very disappointed and sad," Pochettino said of Alli. "In football, it happens. He knows he made a mistake. Now he tries to move on and improve. In the future we must avoid that situation.
"It's difficult. It's not to justify him but it's a different action, he was fouled before, it was an action that was a clear foul. That's not to blame the referee but the action came in very soon, that tackle, and I think he deserved to be sent off. He knows. But that kind of action can always happen.
"It's only one and a half years he is playing for Tottenham in the Premier League, all that he achieved in a very short period is because he is special and a special boy.
"He has unbelievable personality and character. But before that he is a great player.
"In the same way, he is how he is. He is very passionate to play football and sometimes this action happens. Now it's time to support him, he is very sad and disappointed in the changing room."
Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck described Alli's challenge as "dangerous", but said he did not think he "did it on purpose".
Spurs now turn their attention the Premier League on Sunday as they host Stoke, live on Sky Sports, and Pochettino acknowledges his side need to improve after their struggles in Europe this season, which saw them win just one of five matches in the Champions League and Europa League.
"It is time for the club and players to improve," he said. "It is important for the club to always play European competition, but, for us, it is good to assess the squad and try to improve every season.
"We are disappointed, but it is good for us to analyse to try to change a few things to improve next season and be a better team."
