Manager Dyche left 'stunned' over 'bizarre' VAR decisions in straightforward match
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over several "strange" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by Manchester City.
Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones ought to 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 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."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
Dyche has secured four victories from nine league matches since taking over at Forest
Hovering just above the relegation 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 fired in a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, claiming 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.
"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 went on: "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?'.
"Everyone knows it would be. I am baffled. And then they go and score from the situation, which compounds the error.
"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 also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The center-back received a booking for dissent in the first half, protesting about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Immediately after halftime, Dias brought down Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was breaking upfield.
"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 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 booking.
