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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within 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 solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after 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 deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence 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 fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner 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 roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"