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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

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

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"