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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive 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 responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"