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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

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

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel 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 reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed 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 occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the table

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"