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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach 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 fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from 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 frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"