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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"