🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"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 spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take 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 should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"