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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

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