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 was critical of the officials over several "perplexing" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by City.
Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a push on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
He further contended that referee Rob Jones should 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 remarked.
"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."
Ought the late winner have been disallowed?
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 in-form City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.
But Cherki crushed their hopes as he drilled in a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.
Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been knocked over 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 commented.
"He is prevented from blocking as the ball passes through where he would have been. No matter the perspective, it's an infringement."
The VAR examined the play, but ultimately allowed 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?'.
"It's universally understood to be a foul. I am perplexed. To then concede from that sequence is a real double blow.
"I'm a big fan of VAR - I can't work out how you can't get that right."
Gibbs-White complained to referee Jones that he had been fouled in the build-up to City's late goal
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
Dyche was further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The Portugal defender received a initial caution for dissent in the first half, protesting about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Immediately after halftime, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.
"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 booking.
