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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. 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 just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

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

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"