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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. 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 up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold 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 crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots 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 match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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