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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two 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 edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win 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"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"