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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"