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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 Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

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

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, 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 could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"