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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

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

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"