🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"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 actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take 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 appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"