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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

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

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"