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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"