Manager Dyche left 'stunned' over 'bizarre' VAR decisions in straightforward match
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over a series of "perplexing" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by City.
Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's late winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.
He further contended 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.
"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."
Should Cherki's winner have been ruled out?
Dyche has secured four victories from nine league matches since taking over at Forest
Positioned precariously above the drop zone, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.
But Cherki dashed their dreams as he slammed home a half-volley, drilling 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 knocked over by Nico O'Reilly and prevented from blocking Cherki's strike.
"Morgan Gibbs-White quite clearly gets pushed to the floor and the same player is involved in blocking the ball," Dyche said.
"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 reviewed the incident, but in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.
Dyche added: "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?'.
"It's universally understood to be a foul. I am perplexed. To then concede from that sequence is a real double blow.
"I am a strong supporter of VAR - I cannot comprehend how they missed that."
The Forest player protested to the referee, insisting he was fouled prior to the winning strike
Should Dias have seen red?
Dyche was equally incensed about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.
The center-back received a booking for dissent in the first half, complaining 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 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 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 awarded Forest a free-kick but disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.