Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls in 'easy' game to officiate
The manager said it was a 'bad day at the office' for the referees
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over a series of "strange" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by City.
Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones should have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second caution in the second half.
"It was, to my mind, an incredibly easy match to ref and a clear-cut decision for the video assistant," Dyche remarked.
"When you played so well, to come in and have to talk about officials affecting the game - but they clearly did.
"It was plain for all in attendance and all television audiences to see."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
The Forest boss has claimed four wins in his nine top-flight games at the helm
Positioned precariously above the drop zone, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest six points clear from the relegation places.
But Cherki dashed their dreams as he fired in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been knocked over by Nico O'Reilly and stopped from blocking Cherki's strike.
"Morgan Gibbs-White is obviously shoved to the ground, and that very player then impedes the shot," Dyche commented.
"However, he's unable to make the block because the ball travels through the space his body would have occupied. From any angle, it's a foul."
The VAR reviewed the incident, but in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche continued: "The likely explanation is, 'The ball wasn't in the vicinity'. To which you respond, 'So if a goalkeeper is fouled away from the play, is that acceptable?'.
"It's universally understood to be a foul. I am perplexed. To then concede from that sequence is a real double blow.
"I fully endorse VAR technology - I am at a loss to explain how such a clear error was made."
The Forest player protested to the referee, insisting he was fouled prior to the winning strike
Should Dias have seen red?
Dyche was further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The experienced defender received a first yellow card for dissent in the first half, complaining about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Straight after the restart, Dias tripped Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.
"It's deemed unintentional. Yet an accidental foul denying a clear chance is a red. So why is this different and not a second yellow?" Dyche asked.
"I find it utterly strange, truly. These are simple decisions. Show the second yellow, job done. 'You're off'. I am completely astonished."
Jones gave Forest a free-kick but ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.
