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Leeds head coach 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 made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"