Mike Dean reacts to West Ham v Brighton red card controversy live on air

Mike Dean believes it was a “50/50” decision over a potential red card for Pervis Estupinan as West Ham drew 1-1 with Brighton on Saturday.

The 26-year-old was shown a yellow card by referee Rob Jones at the London Stadium on 21 December, and following a VAR review, was allowed to remain on the pitch until the final whistle.

With Max Kilman writhing around in pain on the floor, many were expecting the card to change colour but the home side were disappointed as the referee kept his cards in his pocket.

Reacting to the controversial moment via Sky Sports [21 December, 4:47pm], Dean said: “The problem is that there’s two feet off the ground, he’s out of control. He gets the ball but the follow-through catches the West Ham player on the shin.

“It will be a yellow card because you can’t make a substitution while there’s a review going on. On-field I’d give yellow but with the replay, it’s a 50/50 call.”

Kilman was lucky to still be on the pitch following a horror tackle by the Seagulls’ left-back, and Hammers fans have every right to be aggrieved by the decision.

However, Dean has clearly contradicted himself while stating the player was “out of control” but the decision was still “50/50” following a VAR review. It can only be one here.

With six minutes of time added on, and six minutes of normal time still remaining, anything could have happened at the London Stadium in the closing stages.