🔗 Share this article

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

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

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

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

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

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