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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should 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 assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards 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 additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"