🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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