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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised 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 could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"