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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. 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 keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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