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

Forest's manager Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over some "perplexing" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by City.

The manager believed Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.

He also thought 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 stated.

"To have played so superbly and then be forced to address how the referees impacted the match is galling, but their effect was obvious.

"Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that."

Ought the late winner have been disallowed?

Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an in-form City side would have moved Forest six points clear from the relegation places.

But Cherki dashed their dreams as he fired in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.

Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been knocked over by Nico O'Reilly and unable to 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 in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche continued: "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?'.

"It's universally understood to be a foul. I am perplexed. To then concede from that sequence is a real double blow.

"I'm a big fan of VAR - I can't work out how you can't get that right."

Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?

Dyche was equally incensed about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.

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

Early in the second period, Dias brought down Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.

"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 ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.