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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

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

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"