🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down 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 should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine 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 educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"