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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 fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played 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 City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"