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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"