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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, 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 stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

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

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