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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"