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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were 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 centre-backs"

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