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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

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