🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"