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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, 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 sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory 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 manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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