🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs 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 said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit 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 straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive 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 proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"