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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't 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 Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"