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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

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

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"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 adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"