🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within 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"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"