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Forest's manager Sean Dyche was critical of the officials over a series of "perplexing" decisions in his side's heartbreaking 2-1 loss by Manchester City.

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

He also thought that referee Rob Jones should 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.

"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 in-form City side would have moved Forest six points clear 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 beyond Gibbs-White.

Forest players were quick to complain to referee Jones, claiming that Gibbs-White had been fouled by Nico O'Reilly and unable to blocking Cherki's strike.

"There's a clear push on Morgan Gibbs-White, and the identical player then becomes an obstruction," 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 decided to stick with Jones' on-field decision to stand.

Dyche added: "Their defense may be, 'The ball was elsewhere'. But then you ask, 'If you foul a goalkeeper when the ball is not close, would that be given?'.

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

The experienced defender received a booking for dissent in the first half, complaining about a decision against him following his challenge on Igor Jesus.

Early in the second period, Dias fouled Igor Jesus again as the Forest forward was breaking upfield.

"They say it's an accident. If that's an accident when he's running through on goal we all know what happens. You get a red card. So why is it an accident and he isn't yellow carded then?" Dyche asked.

"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 second booking.