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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually 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"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United 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 less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"