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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 the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

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

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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