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 head coach 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 was convinced that Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground should have been 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.
"Such an easy game to referee, in my opinion, such an easy decision for VAR [video assistant referee]," Dyche remarked.
"When you played so well, to come in and have to talk about officials affecting the game - but they clearly did.
"It was plain for all in attendance and all television audiences to see."
Ought the late winner have been disallowed?
Sean Dyche has won four of his nine Premier League games in charge of Nottingham Forest
Positioned precariously above the drop 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, striking the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground by Nico O'Reilly and stopped from blocking Cherki's strike.
"There's a clear push on Morgan Gibbs-White, and the identical player then becomes an obstruction," Dyche commented.
"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 in the end upheld 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?'.
"We all know it is. I can't work it out. And then they score from it, which is the double whammy.
"I'm a big fan of VAR - I can't work out how you can't get that right."
Gibbs-White remonstrated with official Jones, claiming a foul before the decisive goal
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
Dyche was further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The center-back received a booking for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Immediately after halftime, Dias tripped 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 gave Forest a free-kick but disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.
