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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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