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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"