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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"