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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 Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve 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 want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United 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 proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"