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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"