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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester 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 performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"