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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even 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 rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

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

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