🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just 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 myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge 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 most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the table

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

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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