🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask 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 terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"