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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling 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 new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager'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 players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"