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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"