Manager Dyche left 'stunned' over 'bizarre' VAR decisions in straightforward match
The manager said it was a 'bad day at the office' for the referees
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over several "perplexing" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by City.
The manager believed Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.
He also thought that referee Rob Jones should have shown City defender Ruben Dias a dismissal in the second half.
"In my view, it was such a simple game to officiate, a very straightforward call for VAR," Dyche remarked.
"When you played so well, to come in and have to talk about officials affecting the game - but they clearly did.
"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
Sean Dyche has won four of his nine Premier League games in charge of Nottingham Forest
Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an high-flying City side would have moved Forest six points clear from the relegation places.
But Cherki crushed their hopes as he slammed home a half-volley, striking the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, contending that Gibbs-White had been fouled by Nico O'Reilly and stopped from blocking Cherki's strike.
"Morgan Gibbs-White quite clearly gets pushed to the floor and the same player is involved in blocking the ball," Dyche commented.
"He is prevented from blocking as the ball passes through where he would have been. No matter the perspective, it's an infringement."
The VAR reviewed the incident, but in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche went on: "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?'.
"Everyone knows it would be. I am baffled. And then they go and score from the situation, which compounds the error.
"I am a strong supporter of VAR - I cannot comprehend how they missed that."
Gibbs-White remonstrated with official Jones, claiming a foul before the decisive goal
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The experienced defender received a initial caution for dissent in the first half, complaining about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Straight after the restart, Dias brought down 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 just find it bizarre, I really do. And I think these are easy things. Just give him a second yellow, that's it. 'Off you go'. I'm absolutely stunned."
Jones awarded Forest a free-kick but overlooked pleas by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.
