🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? 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 players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

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