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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? 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 find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt 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

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"