🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

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

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"