🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules 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 allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds 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 often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"