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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 fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship 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 approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"