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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, 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 nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"