'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over a series of "perplexing" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by City.
The manager believed Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a push on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
He further contended that referee Rob Jones should have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second caution 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 said.
"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."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
The Forest boss has claimed four wins in his nine top-flight games at the helm
Sitting just outside the bottom three, 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 past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, contending that Gibbs-White had been knocked over 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 explained.
"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 reviewed the incident, 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?'.
"It's universally understood to be a foul. I am perplexed. To then concede from that sequence is a real double blow.
"I'm a big fan of VAR - I can't work out how you can't get that right."
The Forest player protested to the referee, insisting he was fouled prior to the winning strike
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
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, protesting about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Straight after the restart, 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 gave Forest a free-kick but ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.
