🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. 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 up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"