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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 Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced 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 bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"