🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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