Manager Dyche left 'stunned' over 'bizarre' VAR decisions in straightforward match
Dyche described it as a 'bad day at the office' for the officials
Forest's manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over some "perplexing" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by Manchester City.
The manager believed Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.
He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones ought to 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 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."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
Sean Dyche has won four of his nine Premier League games in charge of Nottingham Forest
Sitting just outside the bottom three, a point against an in-form 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, drilling the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground 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 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: "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."
The Forest player protested to the referee, insisting he was fouled prior to the winning strike
Ought Dias have been sent off?
Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The center-back received a first yellow card 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 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 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 overlooked pleas by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second yellow card.
