🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"