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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"