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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? 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 up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"