🔗 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 match at Etihad Stadium

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

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"