🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within 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 find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach 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 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"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

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

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"