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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"