'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
Dyche described it as a 'bad day at the office' for the officials
Forest's manager Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over a series of "bizarre" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by City.
Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.
He further contended that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second caution in the second half.
"It was, to my mind, an incredibly easy match to ref and a clear-cut decision for the video assistant," Dyche remarked.
"When you played so well, to come in and have to talk about officials affecting the game - but they clearly did.
"Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that."
Should Cherki's winner have been ruled out?
The Forest boss has claimed four wins in his nine top-flight games at the helm
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 dashed their dreams 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, arguing that Gibbs-White had been knocked over by Nico O'Reilly and unable to blocking Cherki's strike.
"There's a clear push on Morgan Gibbs-White, and the identical player then becomes an obstruction," Dyche said.
"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 reviewed the incident, but ultimately allowed Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche continued: "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 am a strong supporter of VAR - I cannot comprehend how they missed that."
The Forest player protested to the referee, insisting he was fouled prior to the winning strike
Ought Dias have been sent off?
Dyche was further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The Portugal defender received a first yellow card for dissent in the first half, complaining about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Early in the second period, 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 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.
