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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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