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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show 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," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"