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Leeds United 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 start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"