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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 fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official 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 regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for 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 period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"