🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"