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

The visitors made 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

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"