🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players 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 simulated knock in order 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 Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"