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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play 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 rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"