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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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