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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently 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 massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"