Mike Dean and Mourinho combine to Right Chelsea's Season

[Drillers81]

With a 1-1-3 start and their arch-rivals visiting Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC needed an outstanding effort to secure 3 points.  And they got it from Referee Mike Dean.

 

In what can only be called the worst job by a referee in the Premier League this season, Mike Dean made every effort to ensure the field was tilted Chelsea's way.  Despite numerous swings to the face of Laurent Kocielny and a wild swing to the defender's head, which the Arsenal defender did not retaliate to, Diego Costa was only yellow carded and that for a further pushing match with Arsenal defender Gabriel (who also received a yellow), not his free-swing escapades or the intentional bump on Kocielny.  Shortly thereafter, Costa initiated further contact with Gabriel at midfield (intentionally backing into his oppoent) to which the Arsenal player tapped Costa on the leg.  Costa, the consummate jerk that he is, complained loudly to the ref who proceeded to give Gabriel a direct red card (at no time do you see the second yellow).

 

Chelsea benefitted from that and a later red (second yellow on Sanchez) that reduced Arsenal to 9 men to secure  a "much earned" victory for Mourinho and his side.  Mike Dean ignored an opportunity in the second half to make amends when he failed to award Costa a second yellow card for a foul that Dean had demonstrated throughout the game to be caution-worthy.  Mourinho, sensing that his little pest was living on borrowed time, subsequently substituted Diego off the field.

 

The fact that Mourinho even had the chance to substitute Diego Costa speaks loudly of the incompetence of referee Dean who had ample opportunity to do the right thing and remove this anti-player from the field.  Unfortunately, Dean needed to ensure the Chelsea victory and did more than most Blues players to assure a home result.

 

It is hoped that two results come from this game from the FA.  First, supplementary discipline must be applied to Diego Costa who all too regularly uses illegal tactics in his play and in efforts to have other players sanctioned or sent off.  By suspending him for his actions a message will be sent to him and others who apply these tactics that they will not be tolerated.  Second, Mike Dean must be held accountable for his poor game management.  Regardless of seniority, it is the responsibility of the match official to apply the laws of the game fairly and equitably, something which was not done on this day.  An exile to the Championship for a few weeks would definitely be in order.  Unfortunately, I fear the FA will shrink from this opportunity and thereby encourage more of the same, which is good news for Chelsea, as they seek to get back in the championship run.

 

Jose Mourinho likes to use an "Us against the World" mentality with his team and consistently complains about the treatment his team receives from the officials.  Mourinho's mentality is such that he will find a way to colour this game as having been biased against his club yet they persevered.  Enough already Mourinho, your team gets more than it fair share of the calls and, with the resources at your disposal, it is anything but Chelsea against the World.  If anything, Jose needs to ensure Mike Dean gets a real nice Christmas present this year.  God forbid Chelsea should not be in the title race!

[umpiredice]

Costa should have had four red cards in this match.  Dean's incompetence/bias when it comes to matches involving Arsenal is well known.  Arsenal's winning percentage over the years Mike Dean has been in the PL is 59%.  In matches refereed by Dean it is 22%.  Dean has publicly stated he doesn't like Arsenal, and can even be seen celebrating a Tottenham goal in a North London derby in 2012.  Why he is still assigned to Arsenal matches is one of the great mysteries of the universe.  In fact, how he maintains his status as a premier league referee is a mystery.  Never mind exiling him to the Championship, he should never referee again.

 

As for Diego Costa ... he is a stain on the game of football.  Retroactive discipline must surely follow, although it won't right any of the wrongs done in Saturday's match.  The only true justice would be to replay the match from the 43rd minute on, with Costa sent off for the two red card offences against Koscielny and Gabriel still on the pitch.  Roy Keane should come out of retirement just long enough to do a Haaland on Costa.

 

As for Mourinho, the less said the better.  He's a narcissistic shit of a human being and the only thing I can think when he opens his mouth is "Really?  That's the sperm that won?"

 

People really must have no pride or self-respect to support Chel$ki.

[BuzzAndSting]

Just watched the game, unbelievable. How does Ivanovic not get a caution for grabbing and shoving Giroud 4 or 5 feet for no reason right in front of Mike Dean?

[umpiredice]

There's a petition on change.org asking the FA to never assign Mike Dean to an Arsenal game again.  After just three days, it has 88,900 signatures.

 

As for Dean's decisions in the 43rd minute last Saturday ... his red card to Gabriel has been overturned, and Diego Costa has been handed a retroactive three-match ban.  Put another way, the FA have publicly confirmed that Dean got everything wrong and nothing right.  He's been assigned another Premier League match this weekend but it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see him dropped to the Championship for a while.  One can hope, anyway.