🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury 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"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"