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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just 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 myself. But if it is within 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 fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"