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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

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

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current 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 great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"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 appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"