'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 expressed frustration with the officials over a series of "bizarre" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.
Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
He also thought that referee Rob Jones should have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second yellow card 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.
"It was plain for all in attendance and all television audiences to see."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
The Forest boss has claimed four wins in his nine top-flight games at the helm
Sitting just outside the bottom three, 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 slammed home a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated 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 examined the play, but in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche added: "The likely explanation is, 'The ball wasn't in the vicinity'. To which you respond, 'So if a goalkeeper is fouled away from the play, is that acceptable?'.
"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."
The Forest player protested to the referee, insisting he was fouled prior to the winning strike
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The center-back received a initial caution 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 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 asked.
"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 gave Forest a free-kick but disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.