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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

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

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

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

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"