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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"