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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"