The football season is back and, more importantly, so is Mike Dean.
Everyone’s favourite referee was at his flamboyant best in the Premier League’s opening fixture between Hull City and Leicester City a week ago, finding time to incorrectly award a penalty to the champions in their 2-1 defeat on Humberside.
Awarded the lunch time kick off for the second week on the spin when Stoke hosted Manchester City this weekend, yet again Mike Dean was the name on everyone’s lips.
With the FA clamping down on grappling in the area, Dean rightly pointed to the spot when Ryan Shawcross grabbed a hold of Nicolas Otamendi in the Stoke area. Up stepped Sergio Aguero, who put the visitors ahead.
Later on in the first half, Aguero would double City’s lead. That was how it stayed at half-time, where the conversation about the penalty decision continued.
Although there was no mistaking that Dean had made the right call, Stoke’s Twitter account pondered if the referee would give a penalty if a similar incident took place in the other area…
https://twitter.com/stokecity/status/766967882798411777
And sure enough, it did. Minutes after the break, Stoke appeared to have got themselves back into the game when Raheem Sterling, recklessly brushed Shawcross with his hand. For the second time in the afternoon, Dean signalled a penalty.
How dare *anyone* doubt his consistency?
Stoke scored, but couldn’t find an equaliser. In the end City added a couple more from Nolito late on, preserving their 100% record under Pep Guardiola.
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