🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try 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 within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

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

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