Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls in 'easy' game to officiate

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over some "strange" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by City.

Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.

He also thought that referee Rob Jones should have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second yellow card in the second half.

"Such an easy game to referee, in my opinion, such an easy decision for VAR [video assistant referee]," Dyche remarked.

"When you played so well, to come in and have to talk about officials affecting the game - but they clearly did.

"It was plain for all in attendance and all television audiences to see."

Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?

Positioned precariously above the drop zone, a point against an high-flying City side would have moved Forest six points clear from the relegation places.

But Cherki crushed their hopes 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 quick to complain to referee Jones, claiming 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 in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche continued: "The likely explanation is, 'The ball wasn't in the vicinity'. To which you respond, 'So if a goalkeeper is fouled away from the play, is that acceptable?'.

"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."

Ought Dias have been sent off?

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 following his challenge on Igor Jesus.

Immediately after halftime, Dias tripped Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.

"They say it's an accident. If that's an accident when he's running through on goal we all know what happens. You get a red card. So why is it an accident and he isn't yellow carded then?" Dyche said.

"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 disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.