Former Premier League official Mike Dean changed his mind on the penalty Manchester United conceded to Everton in stoppage time, which was later ruled out after a trip to the pitchside VAR monitor in the dying embers of their 2-2 draw.
Ruben Amorim's side suffered an abysmal first-half experience at Goodison Park, falling to a two-goal deficit courtesy of Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was scathing in his half-time review.
But United rallied and seemingly out of nowhere levelled at 2-2 thanks to a Bruno Fernandes free-kick paired with a stunning equaliser from Manuel Ugarte.
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After pushing for the winner it almost ended in disaster when referee Andy Madley pointed to the penalty spot in favour of Everton. Former Man United star Ashley Young had gone to ground under the challenge of Matthijs de Ligt.
"It shouldn’t [get ruled out], no," Dean told Sky Sports Soccer Saturday upon first impressions, adding: "He’s made a meal of it, to be fair.
"There is a slight pull but he’s put his feet together, chucked himself to the floor. He’s pulled his shirt but the way he’s gone down doesn’t match the contact so I wouldn’t expect it to be overturned unless there is something we haven’t seen."
However, VAR Matt Donohue prompted Madley to visit the pitchside monitor at Goodison Park to undertake the review process himself. After deliberation he rescinded his initial call, handing the visiting team a reprieve as their opponents erupted in anger.
But Dean would actually change his mind with the benefit of seeing further replays of the incident, saying the call in Man United's favour was the correct one.
"I think there’s a slight contact by De Ligt on Ashley Young, it is the slightest of pulls but then he’s put his feet together and buckled himself. The way he’s gone down, the touch of the contact, the way he’s fell down doesn’t match the contact.
"It’s a tiny, tiny pull, then he’s put his feet together and buckled. For me, it’s not a penalty. Correct decision. Slight hold but not enough for a penalty."
The result moved Amorim's side onto 30 points whilst staying 15th in the table - one behind the Toffees in 12th.
