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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side 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 United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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