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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"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 roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"