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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of 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 reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt 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 rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"