🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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