🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. 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 determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came 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 City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"