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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 top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"