🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"