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

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over some "strange" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat 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 in the build-up.

He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones should 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.

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

Should Cherki's winner have been ruled out?

Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.

But Cherki shattered their aspirations as he drilled in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.

Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground 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 said.

"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."

Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?

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

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

Immediately after halftime, 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 awarded Forest a free-kick but disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.