🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

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