🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"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 like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"