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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold 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 get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played 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 City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"