Sean Dyche fumes at ‘unacceptable performance’ from officials in Nottingham Forest defeat – ‘I’m scratching my head’

Forest boss Dyche was incensed that Rayan Cherki’s improvised finish was allowed to stand with seven minutes remaining, with it proving the decisive moment as City moved back above Arsenal at the top of the Premier League ahead of the weekend’s remaining fixtures.

Omari Hutchinson had cancelled out Tijjani Reijnders’ opener, but the result leaves Forest hovering just outside the relegation zone in 17th place on 18 points.

The main bone of contention for Dyche was the role of Nico O’Reilly in Cherki’s rifled strike from the edge of the box, with the full-back appearing to drag Morgan Gibbs-White to the ground in the build-up to the goal.

“Unfortunately, the officials played a huge part in the game today,” Dyche told TNT Sports.

“It’s very unfortunate, but we don’t want that. I’m scratching my head as I’ve looked back and can’t believe some of the incidents. I can’t believe what I’m watching.”

‘Its gone in’ – Cherki puts City back in front against Forest

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When asked if he had spoken to the match officials, Dyche added: “It’s pointless. We’ve done that many times as managers, and we’ll only get in trouble for no reason.

“Everyone can see it – there are TV cameras here, everyone can see the performance today, but that’s miles off. In my opinion, it’s unacceptable, as it significantly impacts the game.

“Their centre-half boots the ball away, does nothing, and then jumps onto the floor as if he’s injured when there’s nothing wrong with him.

“For the (winning goal), it’s clear as day that Morgan Gibbs-White is pushed to the floor, and then the same player tries to get up to block it, and it goes through his body because he can’t get into a position to block it.

“For me, that’s an unacceptable performance. As a manager, I’ve held my hands up at times. Sometimes, the officials have got to come out – the powers that be – and say they were miles off.”

‘Fantastic move’ – Hutchinson gets Forest level against City

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Following Cherki’s strike, there was a VAR check from Andy Madley before referee Robert Jones’s on-field decision was upheld, deeming there to have not been significant contact from O’Reilly on Gibbs-White.

Former England and City defender Joleon Lescott feels Dyche had a point.

Lescott told TNT Sports: “I think there were elements of the game that were out of control. It was a great performance from his team, and then to lose it in the way they did, with minute decisions, those 1% decisions that you sometimes get, you’ll be frustrated.

“Man City won’t care about that, but if you’re a Forest fan, it adds to the frustration that it wasn’t outstanding play but more bits that he would question.

“It is arguably a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White, and you probably would have seen them given in other games. City recognise there’s an opportunity and perhaps you can say it’s clever from Nico O’Reilly, but there’s going to be a level of frustration from Sean Dyche and Forest.”

Guardiola: I’ve lost all my Christmas weight!

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had remarked on the eve of the game that the festive period may have added a few extra kilos to his own frame, but he expressed full confidence that his players maintained their trademark discipline throughout the holidays.

City’s squad were weighed and warned not to over-indulge at Christmas – but a relieved Guardiola joked 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.

‘The mentality was unbelievable’ – Guardiola hails Man City after late win

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“(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 for one or two games last season, and are 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.

“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.”