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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 match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not 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 within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting 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 period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"