🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"