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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"