Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls in 'easy' game to officiate
The manager said it was a 'bad day at the office' for the referees
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 foul on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.
He further contended that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a dismissal in the second half.
"It was, to my mind, an incredibly easy match to ref and a clear-cut decision for the video assistant," Dyche stated.
"To have played so superbly and then be forced to address how the referees impacted the match is galling, but their effect was obvious.
"It was plain for all in attendance and all television audiences to see."
Ought the late winner have been disallowed?
Dyche has secured four victories from nine league matches since taking over at Forest
Sitting just outside the bottom three, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest a more comfortable six points ahead from the relegation places.
But Cherki crushed their hopes as he slammed home a half-volley, striking the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were immediately protested 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.
"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 examined the play, 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?'.
"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 further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The experienced defender received a first yellow card for dissent in the first half, complaining about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Immediately after halftime, Dias tripped 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 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 awarded Forest a free-kick but disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second yellow card.
