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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised 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 could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"