🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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