🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal 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 notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"