Manager Dyche left 'stunned' over 'bizarre' VAR decisions in straightforward match
Dyche described it as a 'bad day at the office' for the officials
Forest's manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over several "strange" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by City.
The manager believed Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.
He additionally argued 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 said.
"After performing so admirably, to have to discuss match officials influencing the result is frustrating - yet they undeniably did.
"Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that."
Should Cherki's winner have been ruled out?
Sean Dyche has won four of his nine Premier League games in charge of Nottingham Forest
Sitting just outside the bottom three, a point against an in-form City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.
But Cherki shattered their aspirations as he fired in a half-volley, striking the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.
Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been fouled by Nico O'Reilly and prevented from blocking Cherki's strike.
"Morgan Gibbs-White is obviously shoved to the ground, and that very player then impedes the shot," Dyche commented.
"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 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."
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 following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Early in the second period, Dias tripped 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 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 awarded Forest a free-kick but ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second yellow card.
