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Leeds 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 got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"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 questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"