🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point 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 fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"