Ex-FIFA official instantly reacts to Mike Dean controversy as footage emerges from Everton v Burnley
Keith Hackett is happy with Mike Dean’s decision to award Everton a penalty in their 3-2 loss to Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday night.
Dean pointed to the spot after Toffees starlet Anthony Gordon was brought down by Ashley Westwood.
Richarlison stepped up to score the penalty kick and after seeing a replay of the foul, former FIFA and Premier League referee Hackett backed Dean’s decision after he spotted Westwood holding onto Gordon.
“Richarlison slots home a correctly-awarded penalty kick,” said Hackett via his personal Twitter account in an instant reaction to the controversial decision by Dean.
“Mike Dean is consistent on holding offences.
“Why do defenders think that they are going to get away with a holding offence of this type score?”
Hackett added another tweet after, though, and seemed to spot Everton players encroaching into the box, suggesting Richarlison’s penalty should have been retaken.
He said: “Take another look at that Richarlson penalty kick.
“Was there encroachment by the Everton player?
“An aspect of law breaking that our referees are ignoring or relying on VAR intervention.”
Hackett added: “I have reviewed the first penalty kick and the award is correct.
“However it should have been re-taken. The goal was scored but an Everton player had encroached therefore in law should have been a re-take!! Missed by VAR.”
Definitely a penalty
Gordon was not only pulled back by Westwood but if you watch his feet, the Evertonian is also tripped by the Burnley player.
It was terrible defending by Westwood and the correct call by Dean, who should be applauded for spotting that in real-time and not having to rely on VAR to back him up.
Michael Brown, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, was quoted on the BBC Sport website on Wednesday night as saying the penalty decision was “as soft as they come”.
The former Manchester City and Sheffield United midfielder might be right in saying it was soft – but a soft foul is still a foul.
It was a penalty, you could even argue it was a stonewall penalty too.
Dean was spot on, Richarlison did well to score it and Everton got back into the game as a result.
No one can have any complaints about that but we’re sure there will be some accusing Dean of trying to take centre stage.
But he got it spot on.
In other Everton news, a talkSPORT pundit has demanded answers from Lampard after being baffled by this Goodison star.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on Everton plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.