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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"