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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 Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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