Ex-refs chief hits out at 'nonsense' as Nottingham Forest vs Man City goal controversy re-analysed

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Credit: Imago Mon 29 December 2025 8:15, UK Nottingham Forest are wrong to fume over the awarding of Man City’s winning goal as the two sides clashed at the City Ground.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Morgan Gibbs-White cannot complain after tussling with Nico O’Reilly in the six-yard box.With the score settled going into the final 10 minutes, thanks to goals from Tijjani Reijnders and Omari Hutchinson, the Citizens required a stunning winner from Rayan Cherki on Saturday, 27 December.Referee Rob Jones had plenty of controversial incidents to deal with, not least Ruben Dias deserving to be sent off after bringing Igor Jesus down while already on a yellow card, much to the frustration of the home fans.Sean Dyche thought Nico O'Reilly fouled Morgan Gibbs-White in the build up to Man City's winner… 💭Wayne Rooney says it was the other way around 🗣️Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/zjK1Dka3VF— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 28, 2025 View Tweet Sean Dyche erupts after Man City’s winner at the City GroundIt is safe to say that many inside the City Ground were unhappy with the referee’s performance on the day, with Sean Dyche now facing a punishment for his outburst after the full-time whistle.As well as Dias staying on the pitch, and City’s goal being allowed to stand, there was fury within the stands after multiple away players were let off before Elliot Anderson was shown a yellow card. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES There was certainly grappling between Gibbs-White and O’Reilly in the 83rd minute, just moments before Cherki lashed home the winner, but Wayne Rooney was adamant that no foul should have been awarded.Re-watching the incident, Hackett sided with the Man United legend, suggesting that the Premier League are perhaps to blame for allowing grappling and pulling to go unquestioned inside the penalty area.Keith Hackett destroys Premier League ‘nonsense’ amid Rayan Cherki’s winnerHackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “I think it was Gibbs-White who fouled his opponent.

Sean Dyche is not the biggest moaner, but these managers need to look at themselves. “They manage these players, and what we see is the nonsense going off in the penalty area – grappling, pulling, blocking, it is no longer football.

“Until the PGMOL and the authorities, and the managers, accept that it’s got to stop, we’ll continue to have questions asked about these decisions. “Sometimes, managers will be on the wrong end of these decisions, but I thought the referee got it right.