Forest boss Dyche left 'lost for words' at VAR

Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche was left "lost for words" at the VAR following Manchester City's winning goal at the City Ground on Saturday. 

Dyche watched on as Forest were beaten by Pep Guardiola's team, who snatched all three points thanks to Rayan Cherki's 83rd-minute drive from just outside the penalty area. 

City had taken the lead through Tijjani Reijnders three minutes into the second half before Omari Hutchinson equalised with a fine finish to round off a flowing team move. 

However, a corner into the Forest box was knocked down by Josko Gvardiol, allowing Cherki to smash into the bottom-left corner despite John Victor's best efforts. 

Dyche, though, was left bemused by the awarding of the goal, believing that Morgan Gibbs-White was fouled in the six-yard box by Nico O'Reilly. 

"We certainly don't lack pride or optimism, but I know what you mean, it [the performance] reinforces the good work the players are doing. I thought we were terrific," Dyche said. 

"The goals we can pick the bones out of it, but how we don't get the referee today. I'm lost for words.

"VAR and all this we keep seeing from corners, and then our player gets thrown to the floor.

"We know there's no intention for them to head the ball, he just pushes him [Gibbs-White] to the floor. You can't do that."

Cherki's winner meant that since they returned to the top-flight in 2022-23, Forest have conceded more goals in the final 15 minutes of matches than any other side (53).

It was also the first time that Dyche had lost back-to-back Premier League games in charge of Forest since replacing Ange Postecoglou back in October. 

But his poor record against Guardiola continued. He has failed to win any of his 17 top-flight meetings with the Spaniard (D2 L15), the joint-most one manager has faced another without ever winning in the competition (alongside Steve Bruce against Alex Ferguson).

"The officials had a massive part to play today, and they didn't do their job," a disgruntled Dyche added on City's second goal. 

"I've already messaged to ask for a report on the VAR because I find it impossible that the one on Morgan Gibbs-White is not considered a foul."

Dyche also felt the visitors should have had a man sent off, most notably Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, who struggled to contain Igor Jesus for much of the encounter. 

Jesus (16) competed in more duels than any other Forest player, while he also had a joint-game-high total for aerial duels won (eight, level with O'Reilly). 

"Igor was terrific. I couldn't believe how their centre-half stayed on the pitch. He boots the ball away and then goes down with a head injury, bizarrely," Dyche said.

"The referee gave nothing. The second player brings Igor down early in the second half.

"That's the gripe of the game, unfortunately. I try not to speak about officials. They do a good job on the whole but today was a bad day at the office."

Dyche will be hoping to get a similar tune out of Jesus after his display against City, especially after striker Chris Wood confirmed he is set for a prolonged period on the sidelines.

Wood has not featured under Dyche after sustaining a knee injury back in October, and the striker confirmed just before kick-off he had undergone surgery to repair the issue. 

It's a huge blow for Forest, with Wood playing a starring role in securing Europa League football last season after netting 20 Premier League goals, a total only bettered by Erling Haaland (22), Alexander Isak (23) and Mohamed Salah (29). 

"The Christmas I didn't expect, you can never know what football throws at you," Wood wrote on Instagram.

"From the highs of last season to now the battles and the lows personally of this season. You have to be ready for anything.

"Truly gutting and frustrating that I'll be on the sideline for another period of time.

"It's what's needed to come back stronger and better to help my team-mates do the job needed in the Premier League and in Europe."