🔗 Share this article

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"