🔗 Share this article

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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? 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 up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"