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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

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

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"