🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned 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 might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"