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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

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