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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"