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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played 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 came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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