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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 Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"