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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. 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 determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"