'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
Dyche described it as a 'bad day at the office' for the officials
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over some "strange" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by City.
Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a push on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.
He further contended 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 stated.
"To have played so superbly and then be forced to address how the referees impacted the match is galling, but their effect was obvious.
"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."
Should Cherki's winner have been ruled out?
Dyche has secured four victories from nine league matches since taking over at Forest
Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an in-form 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, drilling the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.
Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground by Nico O'Reilly and prevented 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 said.
"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 checked the goal, but ultimately allowed Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche went on: "Their defense may be, 'The ball was elsewhere'. But then you ask, 'If you foul a goalkeeper when the ball is not close, would that be given?'.
"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."
Gibbs-White remonstrated with official Jones, claiming a foul before the decisive goal
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
Dyche was further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The center-back received a first yellow card for dissent in the first half, protesting about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Immediately after halftime, Dias tripped Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.
"The argument is it was accidental. But if that's an accidental foul when through on goal, it's a sending-off. So how can it be accidental yet not warrant a booking?" 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 gave Forest a free-kick but disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second yellow card.
