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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply 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 regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"