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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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