'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 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 was convinced that Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.
He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones should have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second caution in the second half.
"In my view, it was such a simple game to officiate, a very straightforward call for VAR," Dyche said.
"To have played so superbly and then be forced to address how the referees impacted the match is galling, but their effect was obvious.
"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 in-form City side would have moved Forest a more comfortable six points ahead from the relegation places.
But Cherki dashed their dreams as he drilled in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been knocked over 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.
"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 examined the play, but in the end upheld 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?'.
"We all know it is. I can't work it out. And then they score from it, which is the double whammy.
"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 equally incensed 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.
Immediately after halftime, Dias tripped 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 disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.
