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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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