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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"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 roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"