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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really 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 little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second half"

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"