FORMER Premier League referee dubbed the decision to rule Ryan Manning's equaliser against Wolves "very, very harsh."

Dean, who has turned to punditry since retiring in 2022, insisted referee Thomas Bramall should have stuck with his on-field decision.

Manning crashed home, with what would have been his first Premier League goal, 10 minutes after Pablo Sarabia gave Wolves an early lead before his celebrations were cut short.

Mateus Fernandes was adjudged to have fouled countryman Nelson Semedo during the build-up to Southampton's short-lived equaliser.

READ MORE: Southampton's Martin challenges VAR to 'understand the game'

Saints boss Russell Martin was frustrated by VAR decisionsSaints boss Russell Martin was frustrated by VAR decisions (Image: PA/Mike Egerton) Saints went on to lose the game 2-0 after Matheus Cunha fired in a second controversial goal after the break.

The PGMOL explained: "Manning’s goal was awarded on-field. The VAR deemed that there was a foul by Fernandes on Semedo in the build-up and recommended an on-field review.

"The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a Wolves free-kick.

Dean disagreed and told Sky Sport: "It's very, very harsh. It actually looks like the foul is the other way.

"They should have stuck with the on-field decision in my view. I don't think it was a foul. I don't think it should have been overturned."

Saints boss Russell Martin also disagreed with the decision and challenged VAR to "understand the game."