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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

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

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"