🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of 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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt 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

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"