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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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play 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 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 keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

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

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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