🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game 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 fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"