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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. 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 leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

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

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often 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 looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"