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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused 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 worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within 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 reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following 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 altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"