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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. 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 for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"