🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"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 smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"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 massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"