🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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 bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for 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 performed in this second half"

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"