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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled 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"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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