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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible 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 Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"