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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 Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play 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 approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned 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 might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"