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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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