Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will not face punishment for confronting referee Mike Dean at Old Trafford, the Football Association has confirmed. The Scot was furious after Dean overruled assistant Jake Collin and awarded Newcastle’s second goal in the Red Devils’ 4-3 win.
The FA confirmed no action would be taken against the Red Devils boss as Dean made no reference to Ferguson confronting him in his report. Ferguson approached Dean as he made his way out for the second half, before rounding on the fourth official Neil Swarbrick and Collin. Dean did not send Ferguson off during the match, which ended with United going seven points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to their win and Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. Ferguson was furious that Dean allowed a Jonny Evans own goal to stand after Collin had flagged for offside against Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse.
Ferguson said: “The referee changed the linesman’s mind. “He said it was an own goal. But if you see it again, and the referee can’t, the guy is in an offside position, then he pulls Evans’ arm. “If that is not interfering, what is? I think it was a bad decision.”
The Premier League issued a clarification, backing Dean’s decision, confirming that “as Cisse did not play the ball, then he was not interfering with play”. The league also stated that: “It is also the case that Cisse didn’t interfere with the opponent.” Javier Hernandez’s 90th-minute winner gave United the spoils as they fought back three times from a goal down to edge out Newcastle in an enthralling encounter.
Hernandez heroics down Newcastle: Manchester United trailed three times but eventually prevailed 4-3 against Newcastle Javier Hernandez snatched victory for Manchester United in a pulsating and controversial 4-3 Premier League victory over Newcastle at Old Trafford in which Alan Pardew’s side led on three occasions. The Red Devils looked as though they would have to settle for a point at best but struck at the start of added time as the Mexico striker applied the finishing touch to Jonny Evans’ cross to spark jubilation from a previously furious Sir Alex Ferguson as his side moved seven points clear of Manchester City following their shock 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. Newcastle made a dream start as they were gifted the lead with only four minutes on the clock. Michael Carrick failed to control the ball in midfield with Demba Ba advancing towards the United box before unleashing a low shot which David De Gea could only push into the path of the grateful James Perch to tap home. United were back on terms in the 25th minute when Evans applied the finishing touch at the right end from close range after Tim Krul could only half block Javier Hernandez’s low shot following a Van Persie free-kick which caused confusion in the visiting defence. But the moment of controversy arrived soon after with Danny Simpson’s low shot from the right corner of box turned home by sliding Evans. Assistant referee Jake Collin’s flag went up for offside against Cisse, but Dean eventually gave the goal as he correctly ruled the Newcastle striker had not touched the ball.
It was the right decision from the official, but sparked fury among the home players and supporters, while Ferguson sat with a face like thunder in the Old Trafford dug-out, chewing furiously in the pouring rain, with his stewing anger unleashed as the teams emerged at the start of the second half, an incident the Football Association are sure to take an interest in. Newcastle were inches away from taking a 3-1 lead before the interval as Sylvain Marveaux picked himself up after having his heels clipped by Hernandez outside the box to curl a glorious free-kick against the face of the crossbar with De Gea rooted to his line.
Ferguson to escape FA action over row
