Did the referee celebrate Tottenham's opening strike against Aston Villa? Official Mike Dean sets tongues wagging on Twitter

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Did Mike Dean celebrate Tottenham’s opener against Aston Villa on Monday night? Football fans on Twitter seemed to think so.

Users were joking on social media that the typically over-zealous 47-year-old referee had Mousa Dembele as first goalscorer on a bet, such was his reaction at White Hart Lane.

In fact, he was waving advantage before pointing back towards the centre circle, but the comical timing has triggered memories of previous incidents involving Dean’s on-field manner. 

Mousa Dembele's third minute goal put Tottenham ahead at White Hart Lane after Mike Dean's advantage

Referee Dean (right) signals that Dembele's goal stood against Aston Villa courtesy of his advantage

The 47-year-old points back to the halfway line but could be mistaken for celebrating the Spurs strike

Rewind to January 2014 and Vine account 'Connor S-S' posed the question 'Can anyone explain what the ref did here? #MUFC'.

Dean appeared disappointed not to see Swansea utilise his advantage at Old Trafford during their FA Cup clash with Manchester United.

The animated official was at it just a month later during a Premier League contest between Aston Villa and West Ham.

Dean plays the advantage for the home side, with a chance to prise open the West Ham defence, which was wasted by an over-hit pass. 

Gestures: Mike Dean holds his hands up as he talks with Jack Grealish of Aston Villa

Dean seemingly reacts to a break down in a Swansea attack following an advantage played by the referee

The 47-year-old (top left) appears frustrated after an advantage is wasted by Aston Villa in 2014

Fans on social media accused Dean (right) of celebrating during the north London derby in 2012

Dean's sprint back to the centre circle was caught on camera amongst the Tottenham celebrations

Vine account 'West Ham United stuff' posted footage captioned 'FUNNY: Mike Dean does it again - he's visibly disappointed when Villa's attack breaks down.' 

Furthermore, Dean was accused of celebrating Louis Saha’s fourth minute strike for Spurs against north London rivals Arsenal back in 2012.

'ujuice' posted a vine of Dean's reaction at the Emirates Stadium with the caption 'Mike Dean goal celebration for spurs again vs Arsenal', which shows when he bounced up and down as the ball hit the back of the net.