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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 the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not 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 keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures 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 boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

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

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"