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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive 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 criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"