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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? 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 find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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