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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"