🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"