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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 scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

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

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"