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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"