🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. 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 authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game 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 Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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