🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty 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 little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should 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 United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"