🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds 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 sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward 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 way 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 Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"