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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game 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 smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following 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 two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"