🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. 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 find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules 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 allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"