🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"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 in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"