🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

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

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive 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 turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"