🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of 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 reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

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

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised 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 pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"