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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

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

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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