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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. 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 ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"