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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"