🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"