🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"