🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"