🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within 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 reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock 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"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together 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 United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"