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
Forest's head coach Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over a series of "bizarre" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.
The manager believed Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
He also thought that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second yellow card in the second half.
"In my view, it was such a simple game to officiate, a very straightforward call for VAR," Dyche stated.
"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?
The Forest boss has claimed four wins in his nine top-flight games at the helm
Sitting just outside the bottom three, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.
But Cherki crushed their hopes as he fired in a half-volley, drilling 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 knocked over by Nico O'Reilly and unable to blocking Cherki's strike.
"Morgan Gibbs-White is obviously shoved to the ground, and that very player then impedes the shot," Dyche explained.
"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 examined the play, but ultimately allowed 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
Should Dias have seen red?
Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The experienced defender received a booking for dissent in the first half, complaining about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Straight after the restart, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was breaking upfield.
"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.
"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 gave Forest a free-kick but overlooked pleas by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.
