🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. 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 governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

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