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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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