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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"