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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 Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance 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 should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"