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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

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

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations 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 within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially 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 team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised 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 massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"