Leeds United boss Daniel Farke believed Man City shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma simulated an knock during the second half of their Premier League clash
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium
Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval
However, Leeds fought back following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart
Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for
"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented
"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"
"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want 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 simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"
Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term
Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad
"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden
"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"
The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion
However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table
"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added
"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"
Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"
"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"
"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"
"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"
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