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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"