🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. 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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"