'I was wrong': Paul Merson calls out Mike Dean live on Sky Sports after Jack Stephens receives red card for Southampton

PAUL MERSON forced Mike Dean to admit live on air that he made a MASSIVE MISTAKE during Tottenham’s clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two years ago.

Spurs defender Cristian Romero somehow managed to avoid a red card for pulling Marc Cucurellas hair in a 2-2 draw at the Bridge.

Cristian Romero pulled Marc Cucurella's hair during Tottenham's game against Chelsea over two years ago — Cristian Romero pulled Marc Cucurella’s hair during Tottenham’s game against Chelsea over two years agoPhoto credit: SKY SPORTS

Romero somehow wasn't penalized for the foul, which came just before Spurs equalized — Romero somehow wasn’t penalized for the foul, which came just before Spurs equalizedPhoto credit: REUTERS

Cucurella had her hair pulled by Jack Stephens during Chelsea's 5-1 win over Southampton — Cucurella had her hair pulled by Jack Stephens during Chelsea’s 5-1 win over SouthamptonPhoto credit: AMAZON PRIME

Retired referee Mike Dean admits he should have sent off RomeroPhoto credit: SKY SPORTS

Incredibly, neither Dean nor the video assistant referee thought the hair removal was worthy of sending the Argentine defender to the bathroom early

But on Tuesday night, Dean was forced to admit he made a mistake after seeing Cucurella get dragged to the ground by Jack Stephens ChelseaThe demolition of Southampton.

Appearing on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special, the retired referee said: “Unfortunately I was involved in one of these incidents about three years ago.”

“I think someone pulled, I think Romero pulled Cucurellas hair. I didn’t do it (send him away).”

Dean then said of Stephen’s dismissal: “But he’s clearly done it, he needs to be sent off. It’s his second red card of the season.”

“It has to be a sending off, that can’t be the case.”

His assessment of Stephens’ moment of madness sparked a bold question from Chelsea fan Merson.

He asked bluntly, “But how come that wasn’t the case with Cucurella?”

The best free bet sign-up offers for UK bookmakersS

Chelsea player ratings vs Southampton

CHELSEA continued their fine form with a massive 5-1 win over Southampton under the lights at St Mary’s.

This is how the players rated…

FILIP JORGENSEN – 8
Made a fantastic save in the first two minutes to keep out Joe Aribo’s shot from close range.
Also made a great stop in the second half. Many Chelsea fans are now calling for him to become the club’s number 1.

MALO GUSTO – 7
Won more duels and made more tackles in the first half than any other Chelsea player. Provided excellent support for Sancho’s goal.

AXEL DISASI – 7
Scored Chelsea’s opener with a fairly simple header at the front post after Fernandez took a corner.

TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 5
Appeared to switch off when Southampton scored, leaving Aribo almost alone in front of goal.
In the second half he hit the post with a rocketing shot.

MARC CUCURELLA – 6
Southampton fans were left furious after going to the ground following a hairline injury from Jack Stephens, which resulted in a red card. A solid performance, both in terms of acting and acting.

MOISES CAICEDO – 7
Made some great forward passes at times, including an outstanding trivela to Felix in the box which almost led to an impressive team goal.

ENZO FERNANDEZ – 6
Supported Disasi’s opener with an inch-perfect corner, but was completely humiliated by Kyle Walker-Peters in the build-up to Aribo’s equaliser.

NONI MADUEKE – 7
It was good to capitalize on a Joe Lumley howler before assisting Nkunku. Scored Chelsea’s third goal with a calm shot into the bottom left corner.
Had a few chances in the second half but was pretty wasteful with them.

COLE PALMER – 7
Had a quiet game until he capitalized on Nkunku’s pass/shot attempt to score Chelsea’s fourth goal. He was immediately thrilled after getting on the scoresheet.

JOAO FELIX – 6
Looked lively throughout but missed a big chance towards the end of the first half. He also missed an open header just seconds after the break.

CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU – 7
The Frenchman put Chelsea ahead 2-1 with a relatively simple shot in the first 20 minutes. Otherwise he was pretty quiet.

SUBSTITUTE
JADON SANCHO (FOR MADUEKE, 72)
Scored his first Chelsea goal shortly after coming on as a substitute for Madueke.

RENATO VEIGA (FOR CUCURELLA, 79)
I didn’t have much time to make an impact, especially because Chelsea were in so much control of the game.

KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL (FOR PALMER, 79)
I didn’t have much time to make a difference.

Dean quickly walked up to the retired midfielder and said: “Because I got it wrong. And he (Stephens) got sent off.”

The exchange went viral and drew the ire of Chelsea fans.

Fans are stunned as Paul Merson “dresses like a lemon” for the return of Sky Sports Soccer on Saturday… but there’s a reason for it

One wrote on X: “You can’t make this up.”

Another said: “You can’t write that.”

And another said: “He really has no shame.”

One remarked: “Shameless, Mike Dean.”

Another agreed: “I’m so glad Paul Merson was there to put him in his place.”

Chelsea beat struggling Saint 5-1 to narrow the gap between the two league leaders Liverpool to seven points.

The Blues will be back in action and traveling on Sunday afternoon London face the Spurs.

Breaking News

Dellupodisabato

‘I was wrong’: Paul Merson calls out Mike Dean live on Sky Sports after Jack Stephens receives red card for Southampton

Chelsea player ratings vs Southampton

Leave a Reply Cancel reply