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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"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 changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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