🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

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

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

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive 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 turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"