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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight 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 hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not 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 in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"