🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

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

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"