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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 the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"