Mike Dean Gives His Verdict on Controversial Penalty Decision in Everton 2-2 Man Utd

Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim just escaped defeat against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and former referee Mike Dean has sparked debate with his change of heart over the late penalty call.

In what was a fantastic start to this weekend’s English Premier League action, it required second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte – his first for the club – to overcome a two-goal deficit on Merseyside.

Controversy erupted in the dying moments, however, as Ashley Young collapsed to the ground following apparent contact from Manchester United defender Matthijs De Ligt inside the 18-yard box – and Dean’s comments have fuelled the fire.

With the score tied at 2-2 and both teams looking for a winner, Young desperately tried to capitalise on Andre Onana’s weak parry but ended up in a heap on the floor. The Englishman, together with Beto, demanded a penalty kick.

Initially, referee Andy Madley pointed immediately to the spot to give the home side one more chance to win all three points – and Dean, who described Arsene Wenger as the scariest manager he had ever encountered, had his say.

When asked if the decision to award the home team a penalty should be overturned, Dean replied: “Well, it shouldn’t do, no. on be honest, he’s made a meal of it; there’s a tiny strain, but he brings his feet together and throws himself on the floor.

He went on to say, “He’s pulled his shirt, but the collision, the way he’s gone down, does not correspond. So I don’t expect it to be overturned unless there is anything in the build-up that we haven’t seen.

pic.twitter.com/hmUdCALPOq

— MBK (@kiernanmb) February 22, 2025

In another twist in Everton’s never-ending quest for all the spoils, Madley reversed his first decision after closer study on the pitchside monitor, allowing the game to continue in its final embers.

After Madley, much to the chagrin of the home crowd, permitted play to resume, Dean changed his mind and suggested that the official had made the ‘right call’ by classifying De Ligt’s contact as not a clear and apparent error.

There is only the tiniest contact, but he [Young] has put his feet together, and the way he has fallen does not match the collision – the proper call.

Mike Dean: “It should not be overturned”

*referee overturns it*

Mike Dean: That’s the correct call.

The sum total of officiating in the country. No point in having refs “analysing” games on our TV’s if all they do is back their pals up blind. pic.twitter.com/5MHRzZjbwI

— Harry Adams (@harryadamsss) February 22, 2025

Fans were outraged at Dean’s convoluted thought process and flocked to X (previously Twitter) to express their displeasure. One person claimed it perfectly reflected the poor situation of PGMOL by writing: “Mike Dean showcasing what a shambles he and PGMOL are.”

What confuses me is that we are informed they do not want to re-referee games and that they will only do so for blatant faults. They don’t back up their choices in games, and it’s as if Mike Dean and Dermot Gallagher agree with everything the referee does.

A third supporter argued that Dean’s shift in belief was simply due to a desire to agree with Madley. They asked, “Is Mike Dean agreeing with a referee?” “Well, never!” Another reader remarked, “Sums up Mike Dean perfectly…what a clown!”