🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty 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 crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"