Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls in 'easy' game to officiate
The manager said it was a 'bad day at the office' for the referees
Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over a series of "perplexing" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.
Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.
He also thought that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second yellow card in the second half.
"In my view, it was such a simple game to officiate, a very straightforward call for VAR," 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."
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 a more comfortable six points ahead 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 beyond Gibbs-White.
Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been fouled by Nico O'Reilly and prevented from blocking Cherki's strike.
"There's a clear push on Morgan Gibbs-White, and the identical player then becomes an obstruction," Dyche said.
"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 decided to stick with 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?'.
"It's universally understood to be a foul. I am perplexed. To then concede from that sequence is a real double blow.
"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
Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?
Dyche was further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The center-back received a initial caution for dissent in the first half, protesting about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Early in the second period, Dias brought down 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 said.
"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.
