'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over a series of "perplexing" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by City.

Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.

He also thought that referee Rob Jones ought to 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 stated.

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

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

Ought the late winner have been disallowed?

Positioned precariously above the drop zone, 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, blasting the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.

Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, contending that Gibbs-White had been knocked over 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 explained.

"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 examined the play, but in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche added: "Their defense may be, 'The ball was elsewhere'. But then you ask, 'If you foul a goalkeeper when the ball is not close, would that be given?'.

"We all know it is. I can't work it out. And then they score from it, which is the double whammy.

"I fully endorse VAR technology - I am at a loss to explain how such a clear error was made."

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.

Straight after the restart, Dias tripped Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was breaking upfield.

"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.

"It's absolutely perplexing to me. These are straightforward calls. Issue the second caution, that's all. 'Leave the pitch'. I am totally dumbfounded."

Jones gave Forest a free-kick but overlooked pleas by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.