Mike Dean immediately backtracks on controversial Everton vs Man Utd decision
Everton had a penalty overturned during stoppage time of their thrilling draw with Manchester United, with Mike Dean changing his mind on whether that decision was the correct call
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorFormer Premier League referee Mike Dean criticised the decision to overturn the awarding of a penalty to Everton against Manchester United, before U-turning and claiming it was correct.
Dean worked in the top-flight for 22 years before becoming a pundit for Sky Sports. He was working in that role on the broadcaster's Soccer Saturday programme, covering United's trip to Goodison Park.
The Toffees had taken a 2-0 lead through first-half goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure. But United delivered a remarkable comeback to equalise after late strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.
Deep into stoppage time, Ashley Young was brought down by Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire inside the box. Referee Andy Madley pointed to the spot, but VAR Matt Donohue opted to review the incident.
Donohue then directed Madley to check the pitchside monitor, with the referee overturning the call. As the VAR check began though, Dean insisted the decision to award a penalty should have stood.
He told Sky Sports: "It should not be overturned - he [Young] has made a meal of it, he has chucked himself to the floor though."
Just three minutes later, once Madley had overturned it, Dean backtracked and backed the referee. He said: "There is slight contact, the slightest, but he [Young] has put his feet together and the way he has fell down does not match the contact - the correct call."
The Premier League also backed Madley and Donohue's decision to disallow the penalty. They released a statement outlining the reasoning behind the move to overturn the original awarding of a spot-kick.
The statement read: "VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Maguire on Young and deemed that no foul had been committed and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with an indirect free-kick."
United boss Ruben Amorim was also on Madley's side. He told TNT Sports: "No I think it's a soft touch, it was not from what I saw. I think it was a soft penalty it was clear. If you start the game without the first-half, it was a good point, but we needed the three points."
But Everton boss David Moyes was left furious, insisting there was no reason for VAR to get involved. He said: "We're all looking forward to a referee saying 'no, no I'm sticking with it'. If it's absolutely clear and obvious that it's wrong then fine, but I didn't think VAR needed to get involved.
"I've had a look at it and he undoubtedly pulls his jersey. I thought the on-field decision was correct. I'm surprised it was asked to go to VAR. It looked difficult to change your mind. When they go to VAR it's as if the people seeing it on the tele understand more."
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