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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order 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 injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way 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 should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"