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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible 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 Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach'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 footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"