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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 got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

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

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

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

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

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

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "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 way they have played in this second half"

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"