🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. 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 Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"