🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"