🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil 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 brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"