Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has spoken out in support of Mike Dean following his controversial performance in Newcastle United’s loss to Wolves.
Dean sent off DeAndre Yedlin for a tug on Jota and decided against punishing Willy Boly for an apparent elbow on Ayoze Perez and the Magpies slumped to a last minute 2-1 defeat at the hands of their visitors.
Speaking about Yedlin’s dismissal, as quoted in the Chronicle, Gallagher said: “Correct decision. Mike Dean had a top-drawer performance, I would say, and got all the big decisions correct.
“It is 100 per cent a red card and VAR would have endorsed his decision. The law says he has to be able to get a shot away, he’s got the ball under control, he takes one step forward and if you do that, you can shoot.
“You don’t have to wait for the defender to challenge you.
He added: “I think Mike Dean believes Boly is using his arm for leverage rather than a weapon.
“If you look at it, he raises his arms, which all players do to get off the ground. I thought the ball had hit him in the face anyhow – which it does eventually – but I don’t think he throws his elbow, it’s always there.
“Because of the challenge for the ball, there’s no doubt he connects with him, but I think it is just a thing that happens. It is physical contact but I don’t think it is something where he has gone to hit him.”
OPINION
Newcastle fans were up in arms following their side’s defeat to Wolves, and so much of that frustration was directed at Mike Dean. Even Rafa Benitez, usually so level-headed and diplomatic, was left fuming by the referee’s performance. Looking back in the game, it’s probably fair to say that both decisions could have gone either way. Certainly, Yedlin’s sending off seemed harsh, but at the end of the day the American should never be in a position where he needs to stop Jota from getting away from him anyway. What is really important is that the Magpies don’t allow their grievances to distract from a much greater problem. Yes, the referee might have hindered them yesterday, but they lost the game because of their own performance and nothing else. Benitez might be angry, but he has to hold his hands up and take responsibility for a display that ultimately didn’t warrant all three points.