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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form 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 chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"