🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of 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 reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"