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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? 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 authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Strategic Adjustments

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

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed 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 suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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