'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
Dyche described it as a 'bad day at the office' for the officials
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over a series of "strange" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by Manchester City.
The manager believed Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.
He also thought that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second caution in the second half.
"In my view, it was such a simple game to officiate, a very straightforward call for VAR," Dyche stated.
"After performing so admirably, to have to discuss match officials influencing the result is frustrating - yet they undeniably did.
"Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
Sean Dyche has won four of his nine Premier League games in charge of Nottingham Forest
Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest six points clear from the relegation places.
But Cherki dashed their dreams as he drilled in a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.
Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, contending 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 in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche went on: "Their defense may be, 'The ball was elsewhere'. But then you ask, 'If you foul a goalkeeper when the ball is not close, would that be given?'.
"We all know it is. I can't work it out. And then they score from it, which is the double whammy.
"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 center-back received a initial caution for dissent in the first half, complaining about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Immediately after halftime, Dias brought down Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.
"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 said.
"It's absolutely perplexing to me. These are straightforward calls. Issue the second caution, that's all. 'Leave the pitch'. I am totally dumbfounded."
Jones awarded Forest a free-kick but overlooked pleas by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.
