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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed 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 suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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