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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, 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 injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed 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 might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"