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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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