🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? 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 determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"