Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls in 'easy' game to officiate

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over several "perplexing" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.

Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.

He further contended that referee Rob Jones should have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second yellow card in the second half.

"In my view, it was such a simple game to officiate, a very straightforward call for VAR," Dyche said.

"After performing so admirably, to have to discuss match officials influencing the result is frustrating - yet they undeniably did.

"It was plain for all in attendance and all television audiences to see."

Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?

Positioned precariously above the drop zone, a point against an high-flying City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.

But Cherki crushed their hopes as he drilled in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.

Forest players were immediately protested 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 commented.

"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 in the end upheld 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?'.

"It's universally understood to be a foul. I am perplexed. To then concede from that sequence is a real double blow.

"I fully endorse VAR technology - I am at a loss to explain how such a clear error was made."

Ought Dias have been sent off?

Dyche was further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.

The center-back received a first yellow card for dissent in the first half, protesting about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.

Immediately after halftime, Dias tripped Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.

"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 said.

"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 ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.