🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," 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 like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"