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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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"