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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep 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 do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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