🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"