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

Forest's head coach Sean Dyche voiced his anger at the officials over a series of "bizarre" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by City.

Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground ought to have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White prior to the shot.

He further contended that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a second caution in the second half.

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

"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?

Sitting just outside the bottom three, a point against an in-form City side would have moved Forest a more comfortable six points ahead from the relegation places.

But Cherki dashed their dreams as he fired in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.

Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground by Nico O'Reilly and unable to 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 explained.

"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 checked the goal, 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?'.

"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."

Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?

Dyche was further angered about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.

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

Early in the second period, Dias tripped Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.

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