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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

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

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"