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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"