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 head coach Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over several "bizarre" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by Manchester City.
The manager believed Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a push 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 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."
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 a more comfortable six points ahead from the relegation places.
But Cherki dashed their dreams as he slammed home a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, contending 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.
"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 reviewed the incident, but decided to stick with Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche went on: "Their defense may be, 'The ball was elsewhere'. But then you ask, 'If you foul a goalkeeper when the ball is not close, would that be given?'.
"Everyone knows it would be. I am baffled. And then they go and score from the situation, which compounds the error.
"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 after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Early in the second period, Dias brought down Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.
"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.
"It's absolutely perplexing to me. These are straightforward calls. Issue the second caution, that's all. 'Leave the pitch'. I am totally dumbfounded."
Jones gave Forest a free-kick but disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.