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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play 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 meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed 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 came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"