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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. 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 authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, 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 looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"