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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"