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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows 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 smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester 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 played in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"