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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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