🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit 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"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually 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 regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

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

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"