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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"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 approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

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

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance 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 ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"