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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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