🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach 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 made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," 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 like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came 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 Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"