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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

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