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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

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

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell 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 should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline 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 bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

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

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