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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 top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were 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 City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"