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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 finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep 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 hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said 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 brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester 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 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 came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"