🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"