Manager Dyche left 'stunned' over 'bizarre' VAR decisions in straightforward match
The manager said it was a 'bad day at the office' for the referees
Forest's manager Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over some "bizarre" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by Manchester 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 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.
"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."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
The Forest boss has claimed four wins in his nine top-flight games at the helm
Positioned precariously above the drop zone, a point against an in-form City side would have moved Forest a more comfortable six points ahead from the relegation places.
But Cherki shattered their aspirations as he slammed home a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been fouled 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.
"But he can't block it because as he jumps up, it goes through the bit of his body which he would have blocked it with. Whichever way you look at it it's a foul."
The VAR reviewed the incident, but ultimately allowed Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche continued: "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?'.
"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
Ought Dias have been sent off?
Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The experienced defender received a first yellow card for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Immediately after halftime, Dias fouled 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 questioned.
"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 awarded Forest a free-kick but ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second yellow card.
