'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Forest's manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over several "bizarre" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by City.
Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.
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 remarked.
"To have played so superbly and then be forced to address how the referees impacted the match is galling, but their effect was obvious.
"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."
Ought the late winner have been disallowed?
Dyche has secured four victories from nine league matches since taking over at Forest
Sitting just outside the bottom three, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest six points clear from the relegation places.
But Cherki crushed their hopes as he slammed home a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.
Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, claiming 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 commented.
"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 checked the goal, but ultimately allowed 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 am a strong supporter of VAR - I cannot comprehend how they missed that."
Gibbs-White remonstrated with official Jones, claiming a foul before the decisive goal
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The center-back received a booking for dissent in the first half, protesting about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Straight after the restart, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.
"It's deemed unintentional. Yet an accidental foul denying a clear chance is a red. So why is this different and not a second yellow?" 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 yellow card.
