🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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