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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee 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 sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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