🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever 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 approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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