🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure 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 team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed 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 came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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