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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. 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 spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just 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 myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"