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

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-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 Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

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

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

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory 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 way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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