🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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