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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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