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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled 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"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"