🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered 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 field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to 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 City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"