🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. 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 spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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