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Forest's head coach Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over several "bizarre" decisions in his side's late 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.

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

He additionally argued that referee Rob Jones ought to have shown City defender Ruben Dias a dismissal in the second half.

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

"To have played so superbly and then be forced to address how the referees impacted the match is galling, but their effect was obvious.

"Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that."

Was Cherki's winning goal legitimate?

Sitting just outside the bottom three, a point against an in-form City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.

But Cherki shattered their aspirations as he slammed home a half-volley, drilling the ball from the edge of the box beyond Gibbs-White.

Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, contending 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 commented.

"But he can't block it because as he jumps up, it goes through the bit of his body which he would have blocked it with. Whichever way you look at it it's a foul."

The VAR checked the goal, but in the end upheld Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche continued: "They'll say, 'Yeah, the ball wasn't there'. And you go, 'OK, so if the ball's not near the keeper and you push the keeper to the floor, is that going to be a foul then?'.

"It's universally understood to be a foul. I am perplexed. To then concede from that sequence is a real double blow.

"I am a strong supporter of VAR - I cannot comprehend how they missed that."

Was Dias fortunate to avoid a second yellow?

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

The center-back received a booking for dissent in the first half, arguing about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.

Straight after the restart, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was advancing with the ball.

"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 questioned.

"I just find it bizarre, I really do. And I think these are easy things. Just give him a second yellow, that's it. 'Off you go'. I'm absolutely stunned."

Jones awarded Forest a free-kick but ignored calls by Igor Jesus and other Forest players to show Dias a dismissal.