🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

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

"We had 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"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from 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 changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"