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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. 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 up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers 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 an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"