🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? 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 determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply 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 myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"