🔗 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 Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. 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 sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show 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," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"