Mike Dean weighed in on a controversial penalty appeal from Brentford during their clash with West Ham on Saturday, 28 September, after the referee waved away the claim. The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw at the GTECH Community Stadium, saw the Hammers secure another point under manager Julen Lopetegui, though their performance was far from impressive.
Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo had opened the scoring with a lightning-fast goal just 38 seconds into the match, but Tomas Soucek managed to equalize for West Ham. However, the game might have taken a very different turn had Brentford been awarded a penalty for a challenge inside the box.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, former Premier League referee Mike Dean reflected on the decision. Dean explained that the officials made the right call by not awarding a spot-kick, and VAR backed up that judgment. He clarified the situation: “Janelt was going for a shot when a defender came from behind, placing his foot in front. Janelt kicked the back of his foot and stubbed his toe on the ground. For me, it was the correct decision, and VAR rightly supported the referee’s call.”
West Ham managed to escape with a draw, avoiding a potential defeat had the penalty been awarded late in the game. While the decision was ultimately seen as correct by most, including Dean, it still left West Ham fans nervously waiting for confirmation, unsure of how the ruling would go.
This decision would have been particularly frustrating for Lopetegui, who has endured a tough start since taking over from David Moyes. The Spanish manager has yet to fully imprint his style on the team, and his frustrations may have been compounded by a lackluster display in West London. West Ham struggled to create many clear-cut chances, leaving them vulnerable against Brentford’s energetic play.
One of the more questionable decisions of the day came from Lopetegui himself, as he opted to substitute Mohammed Kudus at halftime and later take off Lucas Paqueta in the second half. Both players have struggled to find their form since the managerial change, but their absence in the latter stages of the game may have diminished West Ham’s attacking threat.
On the defensive front, however, the Hammers can be relatively satisfied. Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman formed a solid partnership at the back, preventing Brentford from taking full control of the game. Despite Brentford’s early lead, West Ham held firm, ensuring they walked away with a valuable point.
The match itself may not have been a spectacle, but it could serve as an opportunity for Lopetegui to regroup and reassess his squad as he seeks to find his strongest lineup. With games at the London Stadium ahead, there will be hope that West Ham can build on this performance and start turning draws into wins as the season progresses.