'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Forest's head coach Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over some "perplexing" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by City.
Dyche felt 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 further contended that referee Rob Jones should 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 said.
"After performing so admirably, to have to discuss match officials influencing the result is frustrating - yet they undeniably did.
"Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that."
Should Cherki's winner have been ruled out?
Dyche has secured four victories from nine league matches since taking over at Forest
Sitting just outside the bottom three, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest a more comfortable six points ahead from the relegation places.
But Cherki crushed their hopes as he fired in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, contending that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground by Nico O'Reilly and stopped from blocking Cherki's strike.
"Morgan Gibbs-White is obviously shoved to the ground, and that very player then impedes the shot," 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 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 equally incensed about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The Portugal defender received a first yellow card for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Straight after the restart, Dias brought down Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.
"The argument is it was accidental. But if that's an accidental foul when through on goal, it's a sending-off. So how can it be accidental yet not warrant a booking?" Dyche asked.
"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 overlooked pleas by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second yellow card.
