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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt 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 have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"