🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

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

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