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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate 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 simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"