'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
The manager said it was a 'bad day at the office' for the referees
Forest's manager Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over a series of "perplexing" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by 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 prior to the shot.
He additionally argued 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.
"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."
Ought the late winner have been disallowed?
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 dominant City side would have moved Forest six points clear from the relegation places.
But Cherki shattered their aspirations as he slammed home a half-volley, striking the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been knocked over by Nico O'Reilly and prevented from blocking Cherki's strike.
"Morgan Gibbs-White is obviously shoved to the ground, and that very player then impedes the shot," Dyche said.
"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 decided to stick with Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche added: "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 remonstrated with official Jones, claiming a foul before the decisive goal
Should Dias have seen red?
Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The Portugal defender received a first yellow card for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Early in the second period, Dias brought down Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.
"They say it's an accident. If that's an accident when he's running through on goal we all know what happens. You get a red card. So why is it an accident and he isn't yellow carded then?" Dyche questioned.
"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 ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.
