Forest Fury as VAR Drama Overshadows Late Manchester City Winner
So, let’s talk about what went down at the City Ground, because Nottingham Forest’s 2–1 defeat to Manchester City wasn’t just about football in the end. It turned into a heated debate about refereeing, VAR, and decisions that Forest boss Sean Dyche described as nothing short of “bizarre.”
From Forest’s point of view, this was a night where a huge opportunity slipped away. They went toe-to-toe with an in-form Manchester City side, defended bravely, and were right in the game until the closing stages. A draw would have been massive, potentially pushing Forest further clear of the relegation zone. Instead, it was Rayan Cherki’s 83rd-minute strike that broke Forest hearts and sparked a storm of controversy.
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Dyche was clearly stunned after the match, and he didn’t hide it. In his view, Cherki’s winner should never have stood. He argued that Morgan Gibbs-White was pushed to the floor by Nico O’Reilly in the build-up, preventing him from blocking the shot. The frustration was made worse by the fact that the ball eventually went through Gibbs-White’s legs, the exact space he would have covered if he hadn’t been knocked over. For Dyche, it was a straightforward foul and an “easy” call for VAR to overturn. Instead, the on-field decision was allowed to stand, and Forest were left feeling hard done by.
What really annoyed Dyche was the sense that everyone could see it. From his perspective, the foul was obvious to fans in the stadium and viewers at home, yet VAR still decided there was no “clear and obvious” error. That explanation didn’t sit well with him, especially as he’s normally a supporter of VAR as a tool. On this occasion, he simply couldn’t understand how the system failed to intervene.
And that wasn’t the only decision that left Forest furious. Dyche was also unhappy that Manchester City defender Ruben Dias stayed on the pitch. Dias had already been booked for dissent in the first half, and early in the second, he brought down Igor Jesus as the Forest forward was breaking away. Forest players immediately called for a second yellow card, but it never came. Dyche argued that if a similar incident happened when a player was clean through on goal, a red card would be shown without hesitation.
Officials and pundits saw things differently, suggesting the contact was accidental and not worthy of another booking. Still, for Forest, it felt like another moment where the balance tipped against them.
In the end, this match will be remembered less for City’s quality and more for the controversy. Forest fought hard, played well, and left the pitch feeling that key decisions, rather than football alone, decided the outcome.
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