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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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