Sean Dyche claims the referee did something ‘strange’ during Everton vs Nottingham Forest

Everton ensured Sean Dyche’s return to Merseyside was far from enjoyable, as his Nottingham Forest side suffered a heavy defeat.

Despite recently celebrating a 3-0 win over Liverpool, Forest were dealt a major setback at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton’s emphatic performance delivered three goals and three points, lifting the Blues up to a provisional fifth place in the Premier League.

Ahead of the match, David Moyes jokingly wished Dyche “bad luck,” and Everton’s dominant display made that wish seem prophetic. After the loss, Dyche shifted some of his frustration toward referee Chris Kavanagh.

Dyche’s Reaction to the Refereeing Decisions

Speaking to BBC Sport, Dyche said he felt James Tarkowski was fortunate to escape punishment for an incident in the box.

“We were nowhere near it physically. We had possession in good areas but decisions go against us. James Tarkowski barges a player in the back and nothing happens—very odd,” Dyche said.
“Everton looked like a team pushing for fifth. We were miles off it today.”

Dyche also claimed Everton’s second goal should have been disallowed because the ball struck the referee in the build-up.

“It clearly hits the ref. He says it didn’t, but we can see that it did,” he added.

The Forest manager admitted his side never really got going.

“It was a lot of huff and puff—crosses with nobody attacking them. The players deserve credit, but they need to compete and stay in structure. We fell short.”

Kavanagh previously penalised Tarkowski in Everton’s season opener against Leeds, but Dyche’s complaints this time appeared more like frustration than genuine grievances, especially given how early Forest fell behind.

Clattenburg Weighs In

With Tim Iroegbunam suspended and Idrissa Gana Gueye due back soon, the last thing Moyes needed was another disciplinary issue.

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg told Everton News that there was no basis for a red card in Tarkowski’s challenge on Dan Ndoye, dismissing any claims of serious foul play.

Everton were comfortably the superior side throughout, and the final scoreline reflected that. Had Forest been reduced to ten men over such a minor incident, Dyche likely would have been even more outspoken about the officiating.