🔗 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 top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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