Mike Dean Everton and Arsenal
Mike Dean insists it was the right call not to hand Arsenal a penalty against Everton on Saturday.
The Gunners claimed for a penalty after Vitalii Mykolenko’s challenge on Thomas Partey inside the box in the dying moments of the match at the Emirates on 14 December.
Dean felt the left-back got the ball before coming in contact with the Arsenal midfielder, as Sean Dyche’s team secured another point in the Premier League after the 0-0 draw.
Speaking live on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday [14 December, 16:45], the ex-PL referee said: “I thought he just got a touch on the ball, the defender, a slight touch before he’s got the player.
“So for me, no penalty.”
Everton v Arsenal controversy?
Dyche has been hammered by the Goodison faithful this season for the performances on show, with many feeling the English manager is too conservative in his approach.
The 53-year-old’s defensive mindset is precisely what worked at the Emirates for the Blues to get a point and increase the distance between them and the relegation zone.
Many were fearful of the Merseyside outfit’s exploits going into December, with games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
The derby was eventually postponed after Storm Darragh and Everton saw off Mikel Arteta’s team without suffering too much damage.
Everton manager Sean Dyche
Everton manager Sean Dyche. [Credit: Imago]
Dyche now looks in a decent position ahead of The Friedkin Group completing their takeover of the Toffees from Farhad Moshiri.
Dan Friedkin might have considered relieving the Englishman of his duties had he not achieved some positive results this month, but the 53-year-old has allayed any fears for now.
While Arsenal dominated the game, they didn’t create much, and in the end, the draw reflected a fair result for the Blues’ sheer resilience at the back.
In other Everton news, Tim Sherwood was left amazed after what Jordan Pickford did against Bukayo Saka.
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