🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

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

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"