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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. 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 up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

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

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"