🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock 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"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half"

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"