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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"