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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for 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 played in this second period"

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

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