Frank Lampard wasn’t too impressed with Dele Alli’s “floss” celebration during the FA Cup semi defeat to Manchester United.
The former Chelsea player says he thinks the 22-year-old should have been focused on ensuring his team finished the job after going 1-0 up so early on:
"Dele Alli has learnt a big lesson there, don't celebrate too early. It isn't me being jealous because I can't do the 'floss.'"
Frank Lampard looks at Spurs going another year without a trophy, and in particular Dele Alli celebrating like *that* in the 11th minute. pic.twitter.com/oim9Ji7MO9
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 22, 2018
As you can imagine, the reaction from fans to the BT Sport pundit’s weren’t particularly complimentary:
What nonsense Is this …😂😂😂😂 these guys need help i swear…
— Maliq (@enigmaliq) April 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/paulyboym1/status/988190748628672512
He was celebrating scoring a goal not winning the match. Twit!
— Alan Spencer (@ALSPURS) April 22, 2018
What nonsense Frank Lampard. What about when Drogba put your team ahead in the league cup final 2008? Did his celebration lose you the game?
— To Dare Is Too Dear (@toDAREistooDEAR) April 22, 2018
Please provide a handbook explaining how Spurs players are allowed to celebrate goals at different times during matches (because let’s face it, he wouldn’t have bothered if it had been another club).
— Rachel Martin Legacy Fan 🇺🇦🕊 (@RachelVMartin) April 22, 2018
Never heard of anything so ridiculous.
— NickDav (@NickDav36) April 22, 2018
So now players shouldn't celebrate scoring an early goal in a big game? Like Gerrard and Lampard never did? Absolute rubbish!
— Harry Mills (@HMills_6) April 22, 2018
Was thinking much the same at the time, don’t count your chickens as they see, he’ll learne when he matures
— Bwian of Nazareth (@steveclegg70) April 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/hevans111/status/988107625190625280
Verdict:
The elaborateness of the celebration shouldn’t really be an indicator of the attitude of the player in question. Dele was celebrating scoring the opening goal in a Cup semi-final, and that was all.
The team in general just didn’t kick on after a positive start. There are a number of reasons for this, and Poch will be thinking long and hard about how the team can keep the momentum going in such contests going forward.
After falling at the same stage last season, you can’t put that down to inexperience. The lack of intensity, especially in the second half, was a major worry considering it was such a big occasion.