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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. 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 spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

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

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"