🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"