🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "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 take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"