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 manager Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over some "bizarre" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by City.
The manager believed Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.
He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second yellow card in the second half.
"Such an easy game to referee, in my opinion, such an easy decision for VAR [video assistant referee]," Dyche remarked.
"After performing so admirably, to have to discuss match officials influencing the result is frustrating - yet they undeniably did.
"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."
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 dominant City side would have moved Forest six points clear from the relegation places.
But Cherki crushed their hopes as he drilled in a half-volley, striking the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.
Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, contending that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground 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 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 in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche added: "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?'.
"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."
Gibbs-White complained to referee Jones that he had been fouled in the build-up to City's late goal
Should Dias have seen red?
Dyche was equally incensed about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The experienced defender received a booking for dissent in the first half, protesting about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Early in the second period, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was breaking upfield.
"They say it's an accident. If that's an accident when he's running through on goal we all know what happens. You get a red card. So why is it an accident and he isn't yellow carded then?" Dyche questioned.
"I find it utterly strange, truly. These are simple decisions. Show the second yellow, job done. 'You're off'. I am completely astonished."
Jones awarded Forest a free-kick but disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second yellow card.
