Barnsley's promising turnaround, Steel City derby analysis and Leeds United's growing concerns - The YP FootballTalk Podcast
Daniel Farke praised Leeds United’s resilience to push Manchester City right until stoppage-time despite a terrible start on Saturday.
Their run of defeats extended to four consecutive games, but that did not tell the full story of the 3-2 defeat.
That had looked extremely unlikely when Foden put City ahead after 59 seconds, and Joskvo Gvardiol doubled the lead 25 minutes into a predictably one-sided half. But a double personnel change by manager Farke and a shift in formation inspired an encouraging if ultimately fruitless response from his players.
Asked what went through his mind after Foden’s opener, Fare replied: "I can't speak publicly about (what I was thinking) because I would be banned from football, because you're not allowed to swear.
"It is sometimes like this, in football like in life. You think you have the solution and you do it in the proper way then there's another sucker punch (Gvardiol's goal). If you dwell on it, you have no chance.
"It's more like, 'Come on, keep going, show resilience, show reaction, show great heart, show passion and confidence.’
"That's what we did, more or less, and sadly it didn't pay off with points, but definitely with a performance the lads should be proud of."
PRIDE: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke at full-time with Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)placeholder image
PRIDE: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke at full-time with Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Substitute centre-forward Calvert-Lewin scored only his second goal in 12 Leeds appearances after Nmecha was preferred to start.
Leeds looked much more dangerous with the pair in tandem and when Calvert-Lewin won a penalty, Nmecha saw his effort saved but scored the rebound, his third goal in as many games.
Calvert-Lewin had gone seven games without a goal.
"For offensive players it's always important," said Farke, a former striker. "Everyone counts the minutes and is saying, 'Yeah, good performance, but you need a goal.'
CONFIDENCE BOOST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin finds the net after seven games without a goal (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)placeholder image
CONFIDENCE BOOST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin finds the net after seven games without a goal (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
"He's happy when Lukas scores game after game, but also perhaps sometimes he's thinking I would also like to be in this position.
"It puts a bit of pressure on him, but I've mentioned several times, it's not like I want to win the golden boot with one of my strikers, I just want to win survival in this league, this is the only thing that matters.
"Thank God after his injury right now he's back to play 45 minutes or even longer, that's good.
"His quality is never in doubt, he's so important for us, and it's good to have him back fully fit, and good for his confidence that he scored."
Leeds were so on top in the second half that at 2-1 Gianluigi Donnarumma went down requesting treatment, allowing Pep Guardiola to call his players in for a teamtalk before the keeper carried on playing.
"Everyone knows why he went down," commented Farke.
"It's within the rules, it's smart. If I like it, if it's in the sense of fair play, I keep it to myself.
"It's nothing I personally like but if it's within the rules, I can't complain.
"I don't criticise Pep, it's not that he went down. If there is time I would also do a teamtalk."
Daniel James, withdrawn at half-time, had a hamstring injury making him a doubt for Wednesday's Premier League visit from Chelsea.