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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"