🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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