🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. 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 for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually 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 allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"