🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, 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 stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"