Manager Dyche left 'stunned' over 'bizarre' VAR decisions in straightforward match
Dyche described it as a 'bad day at the office' for the officials
Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over a series of "strange" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by City.
Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a push on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
He also thought that referee Rob Jones should 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 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.
"It was plain for all in attendance and all television audiences to see."
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 high-flying City side would have moved Forest a more comfortable six points ahead from the relegation places.
But Cherki shattered their aspirations as he slammed home a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground 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.
"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 decided to stick with Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche continued: "They'll say, 'Yeah, the ball wasn't there'. And you go, 'OK, so if the ball's not near the keeper and you push the keeper to the floor, is that going to be a foul then?'.
"We all know it is. I can't work it out. And then they score from it, which is the double whammy.
"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
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The center-back 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 advancing with the ball.
"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 said.
"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 dismissal.
