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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 match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep 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 two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control 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 crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"