🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt 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"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "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 performed in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"