🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense 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"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"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 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 could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"