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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone 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 regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with 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 resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try 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 personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for 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 played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"