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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't 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 keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

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

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"