Dyche Criticises Corner Decision as Forest Draw with United

Published: 02 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche voiced his frustration over a controversial corner decision that allowed Manchester United to take the lead in a 2-2 draw at the City Ground on Saturday. Dyche argued that football’s governing bodies should reconsider the scope of the video assistant referee (VAR) system after his side conceded from a corner for the second consecutive match, highlighting the impact of marginal decisions on the outcome.

The match’s pivotal moment came in the 33rd minute when United were awarded a corner by assistant referee Akil Howson on the far side of the pitch. Replays raised questions about whether Forest full-back Nicolò Savona had kept the ball in play before the corner was given. Casemiro capitalised on the delivery from Bruno Fernandes, heading the ball into the net to give United an early advantage.

Dyche, who was booked during Forest’s defeat to Bournemouth the previous week following Marcus Tavernier’s direct corner goal, expressed his exasperation at the recurring errors. “I just can’t understand it. You’re 70-odd yards away with a goal and net in the way, but apparently, you can see,” Dyche said. “I’m a big fan of VAR. Someone should be able to overrule these decisions immediately—five seconds, and it’s done. It’s incredibly frustrating to experience this two weeks in a row.”

Forest responded strongly after falling behind, producing an impressive sequence in the second half with two goals in just over 100 seconds. Igor Jesus and Savona combined effectively, with Savona finishing clinically after a high ball challenge in the area, restoring parity almost immediately following United’s opener. Benjamin Sesko contributed by resetting the ball for Savona, allowing Forest to savour a brief but exhilarating moment of momentum.

Despite their efforts, Forest were unable to secure a win. United remained dangerous, and Amad Diallo struck a spectacular volley later in the half to level the score once more. Diallo, who had struggled defensively at right wing-back, was praised by Forest manager Ruben Amorim for his match-changing ability. “I know Amad can do better defensively, but he is so dangerous one-on-one. Sometimes a single player, even on an off day, can make a decisive impact,” Amorim said.

The match also saw heroic interventions from Forest players. Murillo executed a miraculous goalline clearance in the closing stages, preventing Diallo from snatching a late victory for United. While Diallo was culpable for Morgan Gibbs-White’s headed equaliser following Ryan Yates’s cross, his attacking contribution underlined the fine margins in a game dominated by set-piece incidents.

Forest’s resilience was evident as they pushed for a potential winner. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Igor Jesus created opportunities that narrowly missed the target, while Fernandes hit the post with a long-range effort for United. Amorim noted the significance of his team’s recovery after conceding two quick goals, reflecting a “big-team” mentality. “In the past, such a bad five-minute spell would have ended the game for us. Today, we didn’t lose and still had a chance to win,” he said.

Dyche’s concerns centred on the principles of fairness and the effective use of technology in modern football. “With all the technology at our disposal, particularly VAR, it’s frustrating when decisions are made incorrectly. Every fan wants it right, and I want to be talking about my team, not refereeing decisions,” he added. The corner decision, in his view, not only influenced the result but also highlighted the limitations of current officiating protocols, particularly for marginal calls that have a major impact on the match.

While the 2-2 result denied Forest a win, it showcased the team’s character and ability to compete against a top-tier opponent. The game highlighted both the excitement and the controversies that can emerge from set-piece situations, illustrating how a single decision can dominate post-match discussion despite the quality of play from both sides.