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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. 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 for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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