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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"