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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting 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 altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

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

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