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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed 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 came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"