🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions 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 spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"