'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
The manager said it was a 'bad day at the office' for the referees
Forest's manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over some "perplexing" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by City.
Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.
He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a dismissal 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.
"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."
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 in-form City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.
But Cherki dashed their dreams as he drilled in a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, contending that Gibbs-White had been fouled by Nico O'Reilly and stopped from blocking Cherki's strike.
"Morgan Gibbs-White quite clearly gets pushed to the floor and the same player is involved in blocking the ball," Dyche said.
"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: "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 am a strong supporter of VAR - I cannot comprehend how they missed that."
Gibbs-White complained to referee Jones that he had been fouled in the build-up to City's late goal
Ought Dias have been sent off?
Dyche was equally incensed about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The Portugal defender received a booking for dissent in the first half, protesting about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Immediately after halftime, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was breaking upfield.
"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.
"It's absolutely perplexing to me. These are straightforward calls. Issue the second caution, that's all. 'Leave the pitch'. I am totally dumbfounded."
Jones awarded Forest a free-kick but overlooked pleas by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.
