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

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

Dyche was convinced that Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground deserved to be ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.

He further contended that referee Rob Jones should 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.

"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."

Should Cherki's winner have been ruled out?

Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an in-form 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, blasting the ball from the edge of the box past Gibbs-White.

Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, contending that Gibbs-White had been knocked over 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 explained.

"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 ultimately allowed Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche went on: "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?'.

"We all know it is. I can't work it out. And then they score from it, which is the double whammy.

"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 Portugal defender 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 tripped Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was driving forward.

"It's deemed unintentional. Yet an accidental foul denying a clear chance is a red. So why is this different and not a second yellow?" Dyche questioned.

"I find it utterly strange, truly. These are simple decisions. Show the second yellow, job done. 'You're off'. I am completely astonished."

Jones gave Forest a free-kick but ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a second booking.