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

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche expressed frustration with the officials over some "strange" 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 push on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.

He also thought 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 said.

"When you played so well, to come in and have to talk about officials affecting the game - but they clearly did.

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

Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?

Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest a more comfortable six points ahead from the relegation places.

But Cherki shattered their aspirations as he slammed home a half-volley, striking the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of 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 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.

"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 examined the play, but ultimately allowed 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?'.

"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."

Ought Dias have been sent off?

Dyche was also unhappy about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.

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

Straight after the restart, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.

"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 questioned.

"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 disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second yellow card.