Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls in 'easy' game to officiate
Dyche described it as a 'bad day at the office' for the officials
Forest's manager Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over several "perplexing" 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 deserved to be ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones ought to 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.
"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
The Forest boss has claimed four wins in his nine top-flight games at the helm
Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an in-form City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.
But Cherki dashed their dreams as he slammed home a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box past 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.
"However, he's unable to make the block because the ball travels through the space his body would have occupied. From any angle, it's a foul."
The VAR checked the goal, 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?'.
"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."
Gibbs-White remonstrated with official Jones, claiming a foul before the decisive goal
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
Dyche was equally incensed about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The Portugal defender received a initial caution for dissent in the first half, complaining 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.
"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 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 overlooked pleas by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.
