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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. 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 authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"