🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," 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 within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms 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 extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"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 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 appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"