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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. 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 authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody 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 display with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"