🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? 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 authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"