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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? 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 fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"