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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"