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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"