🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," 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 clever. 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 for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"