🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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