🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds 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 half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking 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. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"