Mike Dean says Chelsea star should have been sent off against Everton

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean believes Morgan Rogers should have been sent off during Everton’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Rogers was already on a yellow card when he challenged James Garner shortly before half-time, with his studs making contact around the Everton midfielder’s knee. Referee Paul Tierney allowed play to continue, and VAR checked the incident before upholding the on-field decision.

Dean, however, felt the challenge warranted a straight red card.

Dean gives verdict on Rogers challenge

“I think it’s a minimum yellow, but I called red straight away,” Dean said on Sky Sports. “He catches him with his studs just on the inside of Garner’s knee, and I think it’s a straight red, I really do. It’s not a good tackle.”

Former Everton defender Joleon Lescott took a different view on TNT Sports, describing it as a committed challenge from both players and saying he felt the correct decision had been reached.

David Moyes also questioned the incident afterwards, particularly in light of Harrison Armstrong being booked for an earlier challenge on Josh Acheampong.

Moyes said the Rogers tackle “could’ve been questioned”, although his main criticism of Everton’s performance was their failure to create enough opportunities. Chelsea went on to win through two second-half goals from Pedro Neto, handing Everton their first Premier League defeat of the season.

The Rogers incident nevertheless remains one of the major talking points from the game, with Dean adamant Chelsea should have been reduced to 10 men.

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