🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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