🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"