🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. 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 Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

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

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"