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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive 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 United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"