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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the table

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

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"