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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 inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"