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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected 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 display with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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