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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"