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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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