'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over several "bizarre" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 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 push on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.
He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones should have shown City defender Ruben Dias a dismissal 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 said.
"After performing so admirably, to have to discuss match officials influencing the result is frustrating - yet they undeniably did.
"Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
Dyche has secured four victories from nine league matches since taking over at 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 fired in a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.
Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been knocked over by Nico O'Reilly and unable to 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 explained.
"But he can't block it because as he jumps up, it goes through the bit of his body which he would have blocked it with. Whichever way you look at it it's a foul."
The VAR reviewed the incident, but ultimately allowed 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?'.
"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."
The Forest player protested to the referee, insisting he was fouled prior to the winning strike
Ought Dias have been sent off?
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, arguing about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Early in the second period, Dias brought down Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.
"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 questioned.
"It's absolutely perplexing to me. These are straightforward calls. Issue the second caution, that's all. 'Leave the pitch'. I am totally dumbfounded."
Jones awarded Forest a free-kick but ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.
