🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

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

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for 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 often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"