Manager Dyche left 'stunned' over 'bizarre' VAR decisions in straightforward match
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over several "bizarre" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by Manchester City.
The manager believed Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a push 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 stated.
"After performing so admirably, to have to discuss match officials influencing the result is frustrating - yet they undeniably did.
"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."
Ought the late winner have been disallowed?
Sean Dyche has won four of his nine Premier League games in charge of Nottingham Forest
Positioned precariously above the drop zone, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest six points clear from the relegation places.
But Cherki shattered their aspirations as he fired in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, contending that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground 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 said.
"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 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?'.
"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."
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 also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The experienced defender received a initial caution for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Early in the second period, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.
"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 questioned.
"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 disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.
