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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United 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 frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"