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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"