🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"