Was Mike Dean’s decision to give Heung-Min Son a penalty correct?

When Mike Dean awarded a penalty to Spurs for a Rob Holding slide on Heung-Min Son, it probably undid all the goodwill he had earned among Arsenal fans for the early penalty he awarded at the other end, a handball against Jan Vertonghen converted by Toby Alderweireld.

If contact had been made, Son was guilty of at least jumping and appealing as if he’d been deeply injured from a graze. What was worse, TV replays showed that no strong contact had been made whatsoever. It appeared Holding had not even touched him.

Read more: Why do Arsenal fans hate Mike Dean so much – and is he really a Tottenham fan?

Regardless, Harry Kane converted from the spot only a minute or so after Eric Dier’s near post header had drawn the sides level.

In the first 45 minutes alone Mike Dean had lived up to his controversial billing in the North London Derby, as an enthralling first half of football ended 1-2 to Spurs.

The tackle

As Rob Holding slid in to challenge Son, it was a clearly risky challenge in the area. Son fell to ground as if he’d been shot, as he was going to as soon as Holding dived in given his positioning.

That said there was no contact. You could try to argue that Holding’s trailing leg catches Son’s toe, but you would be being quite obtuse, as finding contact would be a job for Hawkeye and Snicko.

PENALTY OR NO PENALTY?

Mike Dean pointed to the spot as Son goes down in the area after a collision with Holding. Kane fired home to make it Arsenal 1-2 Spurs.

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— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 2, 2018

No card was given for the foul.

Reaction

At the time, the commentators on Sky assessed the situation as “a moment of rashness from Rob Holding giving Spurs their penalty.”

On the BBC’s Final Score, Danny Webber said: “I don’t think it’s a penalty. I think as Holding’s come in, he’s dragged his leg out and the pace of it – Son’s checked back. Son’s made the most out of it.”

Dion Dublin said: “We’ve seen it five or six times now, and I can’t see it 100 per cent.”

Other commentators waded in on Twitter:

Pay a fortune for Sky Sports… They haven’t showed a replay of the big scrap and Neville still hasn’t noticed Son wasn’t touched for the pen.

— Michael Regan (@MichaelRegan) December 2, 2018

Never a penalty. Should have been a yellow card for Son for diving. Arsenal can feel hard done by with the deception

— Layth (@laythy29) December 2, 2018

Holdings “foul” on Son lol #ARSVSTOT pic.twitter.com/xNgYNZA69A

— Hugh7Burrowes (@Hugh7Burrowes) December 2, 2018

Am I missing something or was there no contact whatsoever on Son there?

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) December 2, 2018

Absolutely never a penalty. Mike Dean strikes again. Spurs dive again. #ARSTOT

— James Maasdorp (@MaasdorpJR) December 2, 2018

One-nil down, 2-1 up for #thfc. Crazy turnaround. Kane penalty after Holding challenged Son. Holding furious, saying no contact. Huge controversy. What a #NLD. Be a miracle if no red card. #ARSTOT

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 2, 2018

Not an ounce of doubt Son dived. @SpursOfficial cheat as usual. Diving is their favourite tactic and the @fa always goes along… pathetic standards of football. Pathetic. #NLD #ARSTOT #FOYS #COYG

— Alex Noyer (@alexnoyer) December 2, 2018