Sean Dyche takes issue with the officiating in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 defeat to Man City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Tijjani Reijnders opened the scoring for Manchester City early in the second half before Omari Hutchinson levelled shortly after, then Rayan Cherki nets late winner.
Dyche didn’t hold back with his thoughts on the the refereeing, saying officials had a “huge part” in the result and were “miles off it.”
Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche speaking to TNT Sports: “The players were fantastic today. Unfortunately the officials had a big part in the game today, we don’t want that. Scratching today looking back at some of the incidents. I just can’t believe what I’m watching.
“It’s pointless [speaking to the officials]. We’ve done it many times as managers and you get in trouble for no reason. Everyone can see it. There’s plenty of people here, TV cameras here. Everyone can see their performance today.
“It was miles off, unacceptable in my opinion, because it effects the game massively. Their centre-half boots the ball away then jumps on the floor as if he’s injured – nothing wrong with him.
“The second goal Gibbs-White is clear as day pushed to the floor, nothing given.
“Then the same player tries to get up and block it and it goes through his body because he can’t get in position. For me that’s an unacceptable performance.
“Sometimes in life the officials have to come out, the powers that be, and say that they were miles off.”
Dyche speaking to Match of the Day: “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.
“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.”
Should Manchester City have had a player sent off? “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. 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.”
On a Manchester City’s winning goal: “The officials had a massive part to play today and they didn’t do their job. 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.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports: “All the kilos I won over Christmas time in weight, today I lost it. I am fit again. What a team San Dyche has made again. That’s a really, really, really big three points.
“[Forest] are an incredible team, the way that they play they do it unbelievably. Igor wins all of the balls. They have a top quality team, This team was in the Champions League but for one or two games last season and now in European competitions. A fantastic team and tough place to come, and at winter time.
“We talked a lot about this in the last few days with the players. Winter time, at Nottingham Forest, you have to be there, there, there. Today if we are not ready then we do not win that game. The mentality was unbelievable, so really pleased again for the guys.”
On changes from first half to second: “There were too many players behind the ball and not the pockets. After when we break, move inside and outside, then we create chances.
On celebrating with Pep Lijnders after both goals: “He is so good. He is a top manager. Sometimes people think, ‘he’s the assistant’, well maybe I am his assistant. We talked at half time and changed a little bit the shape.”
On going top: “We have 18 games played so we have now finished the first leg. And in the second we know that coming is a lot of games like today. The Premier League is tougher, tougher, tougher, but it is important to be there. Winning or losing today would not mean it’s over, we have many games.”
Man City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, speaking to TNT Sports: “We know a lot of clubs suffer here. From what I heard Nottingham Forest at home is always difficult, and yes [it’s true] I felt it as well. It’s a very important win and we are on the hunt.
“They made the spaces really tight so it was very difficult to find the free man in between the lines. In the second half we made some changes to the formation and we could find the free man more often.”
On his goal: “I had to play higher on the pitch [in the second half], so they had more difficulties choosing who to get. The goal was a perfect example of this. Of course Cherki knows how to find those passes and I could finish that one. He is very good, he finds spaces and when he gets the ball you have to be ready and in position.”
On playing for Pep Guardiola: “Yes he is very intense but he makes us all better players. For me now I’m here four or five months, you look differently at the game. I want to learn more and more and more.”
Man City midfielder Rayan Cherki, speaking to TNT Sports: “When the games come we need just one thing: to win. We take the points because the championship is so long and so hard, so today is a big win.
“The next game is very important for us and we are ready.”
On his goal: “It’s good for the team because the game was not simple. I am very proud of the team because the championship is so long and the win is for them so we need to enjoy.
“In the week I spoke to Erling and he said: “When you score you do this celebration” so I did and I am so happy.”
Cherki, speaking to Match of the Day: “We knew coming to Nottingham, it was very complicated because Forest is a very good team. We are very proud to win the game.
“I know my qualities. I gave a good pass for Tijjani Reijnders and it was a very good finish. I’m very proud of the team because today is a big win.
“When you come here, you know the team of Nottingham Forest is a big team with a lot of good players. I’m very proud to score for my team because the season is so long and we need all the points.”
On scoring his second Premier League goal for Manchester City: “All the time I want to score goals, but it is not my role. Erling is here for that! I want to give my team-mates a good pass and I am very proud of that.”
Here’s how fans reacted as Sean Dyche takes issue with the officiating in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 defeat to Man City…
@goatersmotors: Christ he talks some bollocks. The ref gave absolutely everything to Forest today. Don’t make yourself look ridiculous after a good performance.
@steve381rodgers: @FA_PGMOL how is Rob Jones still referring in the @premierleague, one sided decisions, bottled a second yellow for Dias, just keep wondering if the decisions were the other way
@SarcasticForest: Classic Rob Jones. This is probably only his third worst performance refereeing one of our games. Says it all. Well done to Sean Dyche for calling it out.
@AFCBowlesy: Absolutely spot on. Two tier officiating when that mob play. Not sure why we still can’t call it out – absolute disgrace. 115 charges and counting 2 years no decision. Making this sport an absolute mockery.
@WadeAlista56480: Dyche forgetting about Igor Jesus going down at the slightest touch all match
@JamieNFFC65: No surprises with Nob Jones. Still not over him sending Boly off in the 22nd minute against Bournemouth for having his ankle stood on. The guys just inept.
@StueyMcRae: MGW got rugby tackled and that’s not a foul these days FA will apologize but still fine dyche for speaking the truth. If a forest player did it to a city player it would have been a penalty dodgy ref so he should get the assist for the goal.
@CTID326376: He should look at his own team.. how many dives and crap they got away with. Jesus spending more time rolling around on the pitch than running on it. Come on!
@FootymadKevB: I agree 100% with Dyche however ur subs and timing lately are very strange 🤷♂️🤔 Tawio ahead of Kali as well when he scored some goals as well 🙄 #nffc