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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"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 roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"