'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 some "strange" decisions in his side's narrow last-gasp 2-1 loss by City.

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

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 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?

Sitting just outside the bottom three, 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 drilled in a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.

Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been knocked over 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 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: "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 booking for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him after his challenge on Igor Jesus.

Early in the second period, Dias fouled 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 asked.

"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 disregarded appeals by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.