🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra 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 stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

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

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"