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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. 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 get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"