🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted 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 regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"