🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"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 criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"