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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine 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 footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"