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Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over several "bizarre" 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 ought to have been ruled out for a infringement on Morgan Gibbs-White during the attacking phase.

He also thought 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 stated.

"After performing so admirably, to have to discuss match officials influencing the result is frustrating - yet they undeniably did.

"Every supporter in the ground and every viewer at home witnessed it."

Ought the late winner have been disallowed?

Hovering just above the relegation zone, a point against an dominant City side would have moved Forest further away from the relegation places.

But Cherki crushed their hopes as he slammed home a half-volley, striking the ball from the edge of the box through the legs of Gibbs-White.

Forest players were immediately protested to referee Jones, arguing that Gibbs-White had been fouled 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 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 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?'.

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

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

Should Dias have seen red?

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

The center-back 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.

"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 said.

"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.