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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 top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"