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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was halted 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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"