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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal 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 in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second half"

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

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