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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"