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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down 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 for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"