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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. 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 sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

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 players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize 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 put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"