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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"