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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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