🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised 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 huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"