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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

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

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers 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 even 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 can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"