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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. 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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"