🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," 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 spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive 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 criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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