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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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