🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"