'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over a series of "strange" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.
Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a push on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.
He also thought that referee Rob Jones should have shown City defender Ruben Dias a dismissal in the second half.
"Such an easy game to referee, in my opinion, such an easy decision for VAR [video assistant referee]," Dyche remarked.
"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."
Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?
Dyche has secured four victories from nine league matches since taking over at Forest
Sitting just outside the bottom three, a point against an in-form 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, 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.
"There's a clear push on Morgan Gibbs-White, and the identical player then becomes an obstruction," Dyche explained.
"But he can't block it because as he jumps up, it goes through the bit of his body which he would have blocked it with. Whichever way you look at it it's a foul."
The VAR checked the goal, but ultimately allowed 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?'.
"Everyone knows it would be. I am baffled. And then they go and score from the situation, which compounds the error.
"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
Ought Dias have been sent off?
Dyche was equally incensed about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The experienced defender received a booking for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Straight after the restart, Dias brought down 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 asked.
"I find it utterly strange, truly. These are simple decisions. Show the second yellow, job done. 'You're off'. I am completely astonished."
Jones gave Forest a free-kick but disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second yellow card.
