Rooney Backs VAR Decision After Cherki’s Late Winner at City Ground

Wayne Rooney has backed the decision to allow Rayan Cherki’s late goal to stand after Manchester City edged Nottingham Forest 2–1 at the City Ground, dismissing claims that the decisive moment was marred by a foul in the build-up.

Cherki struck late to seal the points for City, but Forest manager Sean Dyche was left furious, insisting his side had been denied a deserved result. Rooney, however, saw the incident differently and felt the officials reached the correct conclusion.

Forest had earlier stayed in the contest through a disciplined display and were pushing for a point when the flashpoint arrived. Dyche argued that Morgan Gibbs-White was fouled by Nico O’Reilly moments before Cherki found the net, a view not shared by the former Manchester United captain.

The decision came at a crucial stage of the season, with City continuing their push near the top of the table and Forest fighting to establish momentum. Every point carries added weight, which only intensified the reaction to a moment that ultimately decided the match.

The City Ground was lively from the outset, with Forest feeding off the home support and City looking to control possession. Guardiola’s side moved the ball patiently through midfield, while Forest threatened on the break through Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus.

The key incident arrived late on, when a tangle between Gibbs-White and O’Reilly inside the Forest half sparked appeals from the home bench. Play continued, City recycled possession, and the attack quickly developed into the move that produced the winner.

Cherki finished clinically to silence the crowd, but protests followed immediately. Dyche felt the midfielder had been pushed to the floor and argued VAR should have intervened. Rooney, watching the replays, reached the opposite conclusion, suggesting Gibbs-White initiated the contact by grabbing O’Reilly’s arm and entangling his leg, leading to the fall.

The controversy did not end there. Earlier in the second half, City defender Ruben Dias avoided a second booking after bringing down Jesus, having already been cautioned for dissent before the break. Dyche believed the challenge warranted another yellow card and a dismissal.

City weathered those moments and managed the closing stages, with Forest unable to force a late response. The visitors saw out the final minutes with composure, ensuring Cherki’s strike remained decisive.

For City, the win reinforces their resilience in tight away fixtures and keeps their momentum intact. For Forest, the frustration lingers, but Rooney’s assessment underlined why the officials stood by their call, a reminder that fine margins and interpretations continue to shape crucial Premier League outcomes.