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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"