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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually 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 rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"