Mike Dean was appointed to take charge of a Manchester United - Chelsea game at Old Trafford on the 3rd of April, 2010. The game was a potential Premier League 'Title Decider'. Chelsea controversially ran-out 2-1 winners[8]. Dean, along with his linesmen, Simon Beck & Stephen Child, were fiercely criticised by the media for turning down up to four penalty appeals, according to video replays, three for Manchester United, and one for Chelsea. Didier Drogba scored to hand Chelsea the winner, despite video replays showing Drogba was up to two yards offside when the ball was played by Salomon Kalou. But, linesman Simon Beck failed to raise his flag. Nearing the end of the game, Dean allowed a Manchester United goal to stand, when Federico Macheda bundled the ball over the line using his hands. Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson was among those who criticised Dean's performance[9]. Ferguson said he was 'worried' when Dean was chosen for the game, after he had been in the media spotlight over controversial decisions he made in a Burnley - Blackburn Rovers game the week beforehand. Burnley manager Brian Laws described the assignment of Dean to the Old Trafford game as 'mad'[10].
