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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 the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were 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 City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"