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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United 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 frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"