🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted 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 straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win 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 period"

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

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