🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing 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 expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"