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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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