🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. 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 governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra 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 Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

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

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"