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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. 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"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"