🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester 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 played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often 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 massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"