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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 Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"