Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls in 'easy' game to officiate
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over a series of "perplexing" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by City.
Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.
He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones ought to 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 said.
"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."
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 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 drilled in a half-volley, striking the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.
Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been fouled by Nico O'Reilly and unable to 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 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?'.
"Everyone knows it would be. I am baffled. And then they go and score from the situation, which compounds the error.
"I fully endorse VAR technology - I am at a loss to explain how such a clear error was made."
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 further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The Portugal defender 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 fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.
"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 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 awarded Forest a free-kick but overlooked pleas by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.
