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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

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

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"