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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players 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 actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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