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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"