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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds 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 struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

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

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to 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' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"