Mike Dean: From his walkout ‘catwalk’ strut to penalty gaffes, five of the most bizarre moments from the veteran whistler during Southampton’s vs Burnley
Referee Dean was in typically buoyant mood from the off and played up the cameras throughout Saints' 3-1 triumph
MIKE DEAN is one of the Premier League's most charismatic referees - and he certainly had an interesting game at St Marys.
The veteran whistler, 48, was in typically buoyant mood from the off and played up to the cameras throughout Saints' 3-1 triumph.
Fans were quick to notice his various poses and longing looks into the lens throughout the match and took to Twitter in their numbers to discuss Dean's antics.
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First, there was the catwalk entrance
JUST lead the team's out the tunnel Mike, pick up the ball and stroll to the centre circle.
No chance for Dean, who enters the field of play with a huge cheesy grin and walking like Naomi Campbell.
He even gave a seductive look down the camera and a lick of the lips as he plucked the match-ball from it's plinth with gusto. Wow.
Cuco's foul throw
DEAN has a bit of a reputation for getting annoyed if players do daft things.
So when Saints full-back Cuco Martina flopped up a ridiculous foul throw in a dour first half, it came as no surprise as the whistler showed his frustration.
The ref strode over to the culprit, shaking his head and looked almost pained to give the ball back to Burnley.
Burnley's first-half 'penalty'
HOW Dean saw fit to wave away Burnley's first half penalty appeal, we'll never know.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson was hit from three sides by home defenders and took a heavy tumble - only for Dean to wave play on with a smile.
And fans reacted to his bizarre decision in a similar vain to the incredulous Clarets players - slamming his decision making on Twitter.
Then the penalty which was...but wasn't
PERHAPS hoping to atone for his earlier error, Dean pointed to the spot in the second half.
Unfortunately for Burnley, it went against them again as Saints man Sam McQueen scored a 7.5 for a theatrical fall in the box.
It was fair to say that it was as soft as the earlier penalty had been nailed on.
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It was a tepid first-half at St Marys and perhaps Dean's power stance was designed to gee up the crowd a bit.
Make your own mind up.