🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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