🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. 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 for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

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

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