🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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