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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 top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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