🔗 Share this article

Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with 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 resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt 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 personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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