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

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

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually 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 regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were 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 defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"