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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

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

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"