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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

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