🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled 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 crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"