🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors 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 before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually 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 within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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