Mike Dean immediately reacts to West Ham controversy v Southampton
West Ham were once again embarrassing in their 1-1 draw against already-relegated Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Graham Potter’s team had little to play for, while Southampton are already relegated following their dismal season, which could see them become the joint-worst top-flight team of all time.
Southampton created several chances and even hit the crossbar, while West Ham struggled to break the visitors down, but Jarrod Bowen scored just after half-time.
In yet another shocker for Potter, Lesly Ugochukwu went on to equalise in the final minutes.
Mike Dean denies West Ham penalty claims
West Ham conceded a chance to Kamaldeen Sulemana shortly after Kyle Walker-Peters missed a glorious opportunity for the visitors, but they then began to push forward.
The home side attacked the Southampton box and then appealed for a penalty after a suspected handball in the box by Ugochukwu.
| Position | Club | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 17. | West Ham | 32 | -18 | 35 |
| 18. | Ipswich Town | 32 | -34 | 21 |
| 19. | Leicester City | 32 | -45 | 18 |
| 20. | Southampton | 32 | -54 | 10 |
Speaking live on Sky Sports News [19 April, 15:20], former Tottenham star Michael Dawson highlighted that the Hammers were desperate for a handball to be given.
“West Ham have gone up the other end and want a penalty off Ugochukwu. West Ham really wanted the penalty, but it might have been outside the box anyway,” Dawson stated.
Former referee Mike Dean immediately reacted to the footage, waving away the calls, saying: “It deflects off his belly onto his hand.”
West Ham shocking again v Southampton
Given Southampton’s dismal campaign, which could go down in the history books as one of the worst in Premier League history, West Ham would have hoped to impose themselves on the Saints.
With Niclas Fullkrug introduced to the starting XI, this was a good opportunity to dominate the game and get the forwards firing, which did not happen.
However, Southampton were far more threatening in attack, with the Irons failing to get going at all, which just sums up the entire season under Julen Lopetegui and Potter.
The fans at the London Stadium booed at half time, signalling their displeasure with proceedings, and there were few positives to take from the draw.
However, there was reprieve as Bowen scored with an excellent finish at the start of the second half, but the dreadful season continued with the late concession.
All eyes are on next season already, with these games not all too encouraging.