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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester 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 half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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