Manager Dyche left 'stunned' over 'bizarre' VAR decisions in straightforward match

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over several "perplexing" 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 ought to have been ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.

He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones should 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 said.

"After performing so admirably, to have to discuss match officials influencing the result is frustrating - yet they undeniably did.

"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."

Ought the late winner have been disallowed?

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 shattered their aspirations as he drilled in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.

Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been knocked over 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 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 decided to stick with Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche added: "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."

Should Dias have seen red?

Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.

The Portugal defender received a initial caution for dissent in the first half, complaining about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.

Early in the second period, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was breaking upfield.

"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 gave Forest a free-kick but ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.