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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League 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 Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. 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 Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players 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 simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy 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 changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"