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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"