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
Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over a series of "strange" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by City.
Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
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.
"It was plain for all in attendance and all television audiences to see."
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 high-flying City side would have moved Forest a more comfortable six points ahead from the relegation places.
But Cherki shattered their aspirations as he fired in a half-volley, striking the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.
Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been knocked over by Nico O'Reilly and stopped from blocking Cherki's strike.
"There's a clear push on Morgan Gibbs-White, and the identical player then becomes an obstruction," 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 checked the goal, 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?'.
"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 complained to referee Jones that he had been fouled in the build-up to City's late goal
Should Dias have seen red?
Dyche was equally incensed about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The experienced defender received a first yellow card for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Early in the second period, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.
"The argument is it was accidental. But if that's an accidental foul when through on goal, it's a sending-off. So how can it be accidental yet not warrant a booking?" Dyche asked.
"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 dismissal.
