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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"