🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"