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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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