🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"