🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

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

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms 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 extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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