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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional 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 stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive 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 massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"