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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"