🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order 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"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"