🔗 Share this article

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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"