🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy 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 equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered 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 changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"