'Such an easy game to ref' - Dyche 'stunned' by 'bizarre' VAR calls
It was a 'bad day at the office' for match officials - Dyche
Forest's manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over some "bizarre" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by Manchester City.
Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a infringement 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 caution in the second half.
"In my view, it was such a simple game to officiate, a very straightforward call for VAR," Dyche stated.
"When you played so well, to come in and have to talk about officials affecting the game - but they clearly did.
"Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that."
Ought the late winner have been disallowed?
The Forest boss has claimed four wins in his nine top-flight games at the helm
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 dashed their dreams as he drilled in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.
Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been knocked over by Nico O'Reilly and unable to blocking Cherki's strike.
"Morgan Gibbs-White is obviously shoved to the ground, and that very player then impedes the shot," Dyche said.
"However, he's unable to make the block because the ball travels through the space his body would have occupied. From any angle, it's a foul."
The VAR reviewed the incident, 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?'.
"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 Portugal defender received a initial caution for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.
Immediately after halftime, Dias tripped Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.
"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 said.
"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 dismissal.
