Man City boss Pep Guardiola on Leeds United change and second half incident that riled Daniel Farke — YEP 29/11/25

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By Graham Smyth

The Manchester City boss saw his side win late on despite Leeds United's spirited second-half comeback.

A 'relieved' Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City side responded well to the emotions and win after Leeds United roared back from two goals down to level at the Etihad.

The Whites were 2-0 down at the break having conceded inside the first minute and midway through the first half. But Daniel Farke changed his formation and the introduction of Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Leeds more presence up top. Calvert-Lewin scored and then won a penalty which was dispatched by Lukas Nmecha to bring it level. But Phil Foden scored a 91st-minute winner to break Leeds hearts and keep the points in Manchester.

"I was relieved," said Guardiola. "It was relief. The game was not perfect second half. It should [already] be over, the chances we had. Daniel changed the system like Leverkusen has done, 3-5-2, we give a goal away. The shape, the way we move has to change. In that moment it's emotions. We conceded a second. But we react really well. We put more players in the box, we had to put it quick to the box. At the end the quality of Phil again. He helped us to win the game."

Guardiola highlighted the impact the Calvert-Lewin goal, which came on 49 minutes, had on the game and how the striker's arrival on the pitch changed things. "We conceded a goal in one minute," he said. "Football is emotions. When Calvert-Lewin goes with Nmecha it's two v two, the space is completely different."

The Manchester City boss was also asked about a second half incident when Gianluigi Donnarumma went down requiring treatment for an injury and Guardiola immediately called all of his outfield players in for a team talk. Leeds were on top at that moment and Farke questioned whether it was in the spirit of the game, using the term 'fake injury' even if he refused to criticise Guardiola.

"To be honest, I didn't speak with [Gianluigi Donnarumma]," said Guardiola. "I said James [Trafford], warm up. Honestly I don't know. You can ask me next press conference, I will ask [Donnarumma, if he was injured.]

"Every time I would love to have a time out. I'm pretty sure if we do it again the Premier League will fine us again so better we don't do it."

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