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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"