Tottenham Hotspur nearly sealed a FA Cup quarterfinal qualification with victory at Rochdale but for a late goal by Steve Davies to force a replay at Wembley. The host put in a great shift at the preliminary stages of the game and saw their efforts rewarded with an opening goal by Ian Henderson.
A probable fairy-tale victory for Keith Hill’s men was tainted when Spurs’ new-boy Lucas Moura grabbed the game’s leveller. Although Steve Davies’ last-gasp equalizer has been making waves since the final whistle, one particular incident that has dominated on Twitter springs from the manner in which Spurs got their second goal.
A foul on Dele Alli resulted in a penalty being given to Spurs, and it was subsequently converted by Harry Kane. However, many fans on the social media platform believe the referee made a wrong judgment considering Alli blatantly exaggerated his fall.
Watch Dele Alli’s left foot... that is all. #dive #Rochdale #bbcfacup pic.twitter.com/jsSii44Yt1
— Karen Fazackerley (@bbckarenfaz) February 18, 2018
Superb dive from Dele Alli to win his side a penalty. Incredible technique.
— Captain Arsebiscuits (@caparsebiscuits) February 18, 2018
Another Tottenham game. Another Dele Alli dive. #ROCTOT pic.twitter.com/vwKOf9cPfR
— Jamie Ainge (@JamieAinge_) February 18, 2018
This has caused some pundits to add their voices to the ongoing debate. Gary Lineker, Jermaine Jenas, and Alan Shearer all believe there was genuine contact between Dele Alli and the defender and collectively argue that the fall was under no circumstance simulated.
The question was asked by me, “Dele Alli has a reputation for diving, do you think he dived on this occasion?” @jjenas8 and @alanshearer both thought it was a blatant foul and a penalty, not a dive. And for what it’s worth, I agree. https://t.co/bVA7hVj2yJ
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 18, 2018
Was it or it wasn’t? Be the judge.