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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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