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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"