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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"