🔗 Share this article

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

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

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"