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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"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 in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"