An unbelievable decision from Mike Dean was the headline act in Fulham's 0-0 draw with West Ham, as Tomas Soucek was sent off for violent conduct late on.
The Czech midfielder caught Aleksandar Mitrovic with the point of his elbow as the duo jostled for position before a free-kick, sending the Serbian striker to the ground clutching his face. But to the astonishment of everybody in the ground and watching at home, VAR advised referee Dean to go over to the monitor and assess whether or not Soucek was guilty of serious foul play.
Unbelievably, Dean saw fit to send Soucek off - even though it seemed abundantly clear that he was raising his arms to reset position and merely shake Mitrovic off. Even the Serb was astonished, fighting Soucek's corner before he was forced to leave the field.
??? ???? ???? ???? - The only thing Mike Dean sees on a VAR monitor. https://t.co/VcG8zhtvX6 pic.twitter.com/YgNw36LZhv
— 90min (@90min_Football) February 6, 2021
In terms of the action for the rest of the game, very little happened as West Ham squandered the opportunity to go fourth in the Premier League. At a rain soaked Craven Cottage, they never really found any momentum and Alphonse Areola was largely untroubled in the home side's goal.
Fulham weren't much better, but will be pleased with a display that saw them on the front foot for decent periods. There was a particularly impressive showing from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, whose performance was perhaps the only one on the night worthy of a goal.
Here's the player ratings for both sides.
Fulham
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Alphonse Areola (GK) - 6/10 - Had very little to do in goal, making just one save on the night. Good communication throughout.
Kenny Tete (RB) - 7/10 - Decent showing on the right hand side of defence, nullifying any threat Said Benrahma may carry.
Joachim Andersen (CB) - 6/10 - Composed and calm for the most part, though he did earn a necessary booking late on.
Tosin Adarabioyo (CB) - 7/10 - Stood up to the challenge of combating Michail Antonio well, largely marking him out of the game.
Antonee Robinson (LB) - 6/10 - Got forward well in attack and was rarely troubled by an off colour Jarrod Bowen.
2. Midfielders
Harrison Reid (CM) - 7/10 - Recycled possession well in midfield, ending the game with a 91% pass success rate.
Mario Lemina (CM) - 6/10 - Busy in midfield without ever really showing the class of a player who has played for Juventus. Has a good range of passing and vision, but prone to switching off defensively.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid (RM) - 7/10 - Advanced well with the ball on occasion, but may feel he could have troubled Fabianski at the start of the second half.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AM) - 8/10 - A confident performance from the Chelsea loanee, showing power and pace to drive through the lines and get into goalscoring positions.
Ademola Lookman (LM) - 6/10 - Had a number of efforts at goal, but may feel he squandered the opportunities presented to him.
3. Forwards
Ivan Cavaleiro - (ST) - 6/10 - Full of energy and running, but again lacking a composed and clinical edge. Not bad considering he's not playing in his favoured role out wide.
4. Substitutes
Josh Maja - 6/10
Aleksandar Mitrovic - 6/10
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - N/A
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Lukasz Fabianski (GK) - 6/10 - Made a few smart saves in difficult conditions. The busier of the two keepers.
Vladimir Coufal (RB) - 7/10 - Got forward with his usual energy and enthusiasm. Rattled the bar with a good header, but spent most of his time clearing up at the back.
Craig Dawson (CB) - 6/10 - A good block in the first half kept things level, remained composed throughout.
Angelo Ogbonna (CB) - 6/10 - Rarely puts a foot wrong, but wasn't at his absolutely commanding best.
Aaron Cresswell (LB) - 6/10 - Wasteful from set pieces at times, though his excellent first half cross should really have been converted by Bowen.
6. Midfielders
Declan Rice (CM) - 7/10 - Full of running on a difficult night weather wise, also putting in a sensational cross for Coufal's crossbar header.
Tomas Soucek (CM) - 6/10 - Inexplicably sent off in stoppage time, so hopefully that will be rescinded. Wasn't as influential as usual, owing to West Ham's inability to keep the ball.
Jarrod Bowen (RM) - 5/10 - A very quiet showing for Bowen and one that may put his place in jeopardy next time out. Missed a good chance and was hooked before the hour.
Jesse Lingard (AM) - 6/10 - Maintaining the fast start he made against Aston Villa was always going to be tough, but showed glimpses of his high level positional awareness and reading of the game.
Said Benrahma (LM) - 6/10 - Not a great showing from Benrahma who, like Bowen, struggled to get involved in the game. Also hooked before the hour.
7. Forwards
Michail Antonio (ST) - 5/10 - Very quiet up top, perhaps highlighting Antonio is still far from fully fit. The heavy turf will have done little for his troublesome hamstrings.
8. Substitutes
Mark Noble - 6/10 - Brought on to try and help West Ham retain possession better, though his lack of attacking intent left the Irons an option short going forward.
Andriy Yarmolenko - 6/10 - Started off on the right before moving centrally. Largely ineffective but didn't put a foot wrong.
Ryan Fredericks - N/A -
Source: 90min
