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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 the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, 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 levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official 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 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 personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"