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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. 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 authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for 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 performed in this second half"

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"