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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward 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 period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"