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Topics: Mike Dean, Premier League, Sergio Aguero, Manchester City, QPR
Josh Lawless
Topics: Mike Dean, Premier League, Sergio Aguero, Manchester City, QPR
Mike Dean has revealed he would have "taken the hit" on Sergio Aguero's dramatic title-winner against QPR and seen the "bigger picture".
Aguero produced the greatest moment in Premier League history, securing a first league title for City in 44 years with the final kick of the 2011/12 season.
City, having been 2-1 down at home to QPR, struck twice in stoppage time to snatch the title away from rivals United on goal difference.
Aguero, after being played through by Mario Balotelli, kept his cool and rifled past Paddy Kenny at the near post before removing his shirt and being mobbed by teammates in the incredible scenes at the Etihad Stadium.
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Dean was the man in the middle for the memorable fixture and had to show Aguero a yellow card for taking his shirt off.
But the now-retired referee, who sent Joey Barton off earlier in the game, claims he would not have shown Aguero red if he had already been booked.
“I would have taken the hit," Dean told Mark Chapman on the BBC Football Daily Podcast.
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"I would have totally not done it. I would have taken it off the boss. If they asked me ‘why didn’t you do it’ I would have just said ‘bigger picture’. Plus it was 90 plus whatever, but that didn’t happen.
“I did City a few years later when Sterling jumped into the crowd and he was already on a yellow, so I gave him the second one. It’s all about managing at the right time."
The Sterling incident Dean is referring to was when he scored a 97th minute winner away at Bournemouth and ended up getting sent off for his celebration having been cautioned previously.
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The decision caused a stir, with many feeling as though it was a harsh call from Dean.
Dean, 54 has called time on his officiating career - his final match coming last month when he took charge of Chelsea's win over Watford.
He has plenty of classic games to choose from in his catalogue, but is adamant City's QPR triumph will not be beaten.
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“Yeah, Manchester City vs QPR, 100 per cent,” Dean continued.
“Bear in mind what was at stake, I don’t think it will ever happen again. A team winning on goal difference scoring with the last kick of the game.”