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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. 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 up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following 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 two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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