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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated 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 performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

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