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

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

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely 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"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"