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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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