🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever 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 personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for 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"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"