🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. 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 up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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