Did England star Dele Alli dive to try and win a penalty for Tottenham against Crystal Palace yesterday (Sunday)?

The Spurs midfielder was involved in two separate incidents in the London derby at Selhurst Park, with Alli going to ground under a challenge from Patrick van Aanholt, before going over again in the box when bursting through towards Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Referee Kevin Friend dismissed calls for a penalty on both occasions, but the Tottenham star angered the Palace supporters with the way he went down, leading to further accusations of diving after several other incidents in recent weeks involving the 21-year-old.

And now, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has had his say on the incident with Alli and Hennessey, with the Spurs man not being booked, despite no penalty being awarded.

"It's certainly not a penalty," said Gallagher, speaking as part of Sky Sports' Ref Watch feature.

"Because he doesn't get fouled by the goalkeeper. He goes into the keeper, he makes the contact.

Was this a dive from Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli? Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has had his say. Photo. Steven Paston/PA Wire.

"He can't [get out the way of the keeper], I admit that. If you watch that, even before the goalkeeper has made contact with Alli, Dele Alli's knee had crumbled.

"It's not a foul."

But if it was not a foul, was it simulation?

Gallagher is not sure.

"He [Alli] may well say he's anticipated being hit, but it's certainly not a penalty."

Gallagher also commented on the collision between Hennessey and Tottenham full-back Ben Davies in the first half, when the Spurs man appealed for a penalty.

"Great debate over this," said Gallagher.

"People say they've clashed and if you look at the goalkeeper he doesn't make any attempt whatsoever to go into the player.

"He holds his ground, the ball is gone, the referee sees the ball is gone and he's got nowhere to go. They clash, but it's very, very tough to give a penalty in that instance.

"The goalkeeper has made no attempt to bring the player down."