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Leeds 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 got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within 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 moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"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 roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"