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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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