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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," 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 in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win 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 half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"