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

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over a series of "strange" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by City.

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

He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a dismissal in the second half.

"Such an easy game to referee, in my opinion, such an easy decision for VAR [video assistant referee]," Dyche remarked.

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

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

Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?

Hovering just above the relegation zone, 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, striking 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 pushed to the ground by Nico O'Reilly and stopped 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 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 reviewed the incident, but decided to stick with Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche went on: "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 am a strong supporter of VAR - I cannot comprehend how they missed that."

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 after his challenge on Igor Jesus.

Immediately after halftime, 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.

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