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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"