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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

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

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from 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 questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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