Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has disagreed with Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche over the late controversy that decided Saturday’s Premier League clash at the City Ground, backing the officials’ decision to allow Rayan Cherki’s winning goal to stand.
Cherki struck late to seal a 2-1 victory for City, but the decisive moment sparked furious protests from Forest, with Dyche adamant his side had been denied a point.
Dyche fumes at ‘bizarre’ officiating
Forest head coach Sean Dyche did not hold back in his post-match assessment, describing the officiating as “bizarre” and insisting Morgan Gibbs-White had been fouled in the build-up to the goal.
“Such an easy game to referee, in my opinion,” Dyche said. “Such an easy decision for VAR. Everyone in the stadium and everyone watching at home could see that.
“Morgan Gibbs-White quite clearly gets pushed to the floor and the same player is involved in blocking the ball. Whichever way you look at it, it’s a foul.
“I’m a big fan of VAR — I can’t work out how you can’t get that right.”
Dyche also felt Manchester City defender Rúben Dias should have been sent off after committing what he believed was a second bookable offence early in the second half.
Rooney: ‘I think the goal should have stood’
However, former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney saw the incident very differently.
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Rooney argued that if anything, it was City’s Nico O’Reilly who was fouled — not Gibbs-White.
“I actually think it’s a foul on Nico O’Reilly,” Rooney said. “If you look at Morgan Gibbs-White, he grabs O’Reilly’s arm and then locks his leg into him and pulls him down.
“So I’ve got no complaints. I think the goal should have stood.”
Rooney’s verdict directly contradicted Dyche’s claims and backed the VAR decision that allowed Cherki’s strike to count.
Dias debate continues
Dyche also questioned why Dias was not shown a second yellow card after bringing down Igor Jesus shortly after the restart, having already been booked for dissent in the first half.
“They say it’s an accident,” Dyche added. “If that’s an accident when he’s running through on goal, we all know what happens — it’s a red card.
“I just find it bizarre. Give him a second yellow and that’s it.”
That view, however, was not universally shared, with officials judging the challenge did not meet the threshold for another booking.
Guardiola praises Forest despite defeat
While Forest were left empty-handed, City boss Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Dyche’s side after a demanding afternoon.
“Sean Dyche has again created a team with a huge personality,” Guardiola said. “It’s so difficult to break. Igor Jesus won all the duels — it was a really, really tough game.
“They have a fantastic team. Gibbs-White — what a player. Elliot Anderson too. At Christmas time, away at Nottingham Forest, if you don’t have the right mentality, it’s impossible to win.”
Key talking points
- Sean Dyche furious over VAR decision at the City Ground
- Wayne Rooney backs officials and Man City
- Rayan Cherki’s late winner stands despite protests
- Debate over whether Rúben Dias should have been sent off
- Pep Guardiola praises Forest’s resilience
What’s next?
Forest remain 17th, five points clear of the relegation zone, and finish the year at home to Everton. City, meanwhile, travel to Sunderland on 1 January — a tricky assignment against a newly promoted side unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season.
The debate over Cherki’s goal will rumble on, but in Rooney’s eyes at least, City were fully entitled to all three points.
Did VAR get it right at the City Ground — or were Nottingham Forest harshly denied a point?
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