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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt 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 allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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