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

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

Dyche felt Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute winner at the City Ground should have been ruled out for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up.

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

"In my view, it was such a simple game to officiate, a very straightforward call for VAR," Dyche said.

"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."

Ought the late winner have been disallowed?

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

But Cherki crushed their hopes as he fired in a half-volley, blasting the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.

Forest players were instantly remonstrated to referee Jones, contending that Gibbs-White had been pushed to the ground by Nico O'Reilly and prevented from 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 said.

"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 in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche continued: "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."

Ought Dias have been sent off?

Dyche was equally incensed about Jones' decision not to send Dias off.

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

Immediately after halftime, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was breaking upfield.

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