🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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