🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

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

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"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 City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"