🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped 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 rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed 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 physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"