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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually 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 can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"