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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply 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 regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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