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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"