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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, 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 equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't 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 extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"