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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules 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 Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, 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 appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"