Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls in 'easy' game to officiate

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over several "perplexing" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by 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 in the build-up.

He further contended that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a dismissal in the second half.

"In my view, it was such a simple game to officiate, a very straightforward call for VAR," Dyche said.

"When you played so well, to come in and have to talk about officials affecting the game - but they clearly did.

"Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that."

Ought the late winner have been disallowed?

Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an high-flying 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 beyond Gibbs-White.

Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been fouled by Nico O'Reilly and stopped from blocking Cherki's strike.

"Morgan Gibbs-White is obviously shoved to the ground, and that very player then impedes the shot," Dyche commented.

"But he can't block it because as he jumps up, it goes through the bit of his body which he would have blocked it with. Whichever way you look at it it's a foul."

The VAR reviewed the incident, but in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche went on: "The likely explanation is, 'The ball wasn't in the vicinity'. To which you respond, 'So if a goalkeeper is fouled away from the play, is that acceptable?'.

"Everyone knows it would be. I am baffled. And then they go and score from the situation, which compounds the error.

"I'm a big fan of VAR - I can't work out how you can't get that right."

Ought Dias have been sent off?

Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.

The Portugal defender received a booking for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.

Immediately after halftime, Dias tripped 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 said.

"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.