🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within 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 up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"