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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"