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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester 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 played in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"