🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, 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 Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"