🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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