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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee 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 terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

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

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played 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 physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"