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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout 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"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way 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 was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"